To try and raise funds to support HOPE of Rainier and Turning Point Community Service Center in Clatskanie, the two organizations are hosting a “Picnic in the Park” fundraiser this weekend at Clatskanie City Park.
Turning Point and HOPE of Rainier are both organizations that aim to battle food scarcity in Rainier and Clatskanie and provide other services to people who struggle to meet everyday needs. Kelly Miller, the Executive Director for both organizations, explained what the funds raised during the event will go to.
“This money will mainly be used for food to supplement our pantries, such as backpack program, holiday food boxes, homeless bags, as well as, our regular food boxes for clients,” Miller said. “We will also use some of the funding for the very much-needed housing crisis we see in our communities - help with paying rent/mortgage for eviction prevention and also for deposits moving into new housing.”
The fundraiser will be on Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in Clatskanie City Park and will feature live music, food, and “exciting auction items.”
Brian Fawcett is the President of the HOPE of Rainier board and co-chair of the committee organizing the event. He said this is the second time the organizations have held the event, and they plan to hold it every other year. It is not free entry, and Fawcett said it is a “ticketed event via sponsor tables or direct ticket sales.” There are still some tickets for sale and they are $50 each.
Fawcett gave a taste of what will be on the docket for entertainment, and on the menu for attendees.
“The event will feature live music from Evergreen Chill, a raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction,” Fawcett said. “Dinner and drinks are provided by Big Guy and include smoked brisket, chicken, and pork, along with typical picnic and BBQ sides.”
“The fundraiser “is a substantial part” of HOPE of Rainier’s annual operating revenue and that costs continue to rise, along with the need for the organization’s services, according to Fawcett.
Miller echoed Fawcett’s sentiments.
“The importance of an event this size is paramount to our survival as an organization and gives us the ability to continue supporting those in need within our communities,” Miller said. “Without the wonderful donors such as those who have supported this event, there would be no us.”
While the food and drink will keep folks happy during the night, the real meat of the festivities will be the auctions and the raffle. Folks will have the chance to bid on a variety of items, and Fawcett said that between the raffle and the silent and live auctions, there are nearly 80 items up for grabs.
“A few of the big items up for grabs include a Traeger package (provided by Clatskanie Builder Supply), courtside Blazer tickets (provided by Rightline), a stainless steel fish cleaning station (provided by Pacific Stainless), a fishing trip provided by local fishing guide Dustin Stansbury, dinners with each Mayor (Rainier and Clatskanie), a stay at the Cannery Pier Hotel, a custom made wood table provided by John Dibble and Clatskanie PUD, and several other stays and experiences,” Fawcett said.
With so many different items available, organizers are hoping the event will live up to its billing as the biggest fundraiser for the two organizations. One thing Fawcett and Miller emphasized was the importance of the event’s sponsors.
The sponsors include Clatskanie PUD, Wauna Credit Union, Teevin Bros, Global Partners, Rightline, NEXT Clean Fuels, PGE, Kynsi Construction, Remax Power Pros, The HOPE-Fuls, Clatskanie Builder Supply, Reeves Construction, Grocery Outlet, ACT Development, Rainier Masonic Lodge, Rainier Eagles, Lydia Arthur, Flowers N Fluff, Margaret Magruder for County Commissioner, Cindy Warren, the Rainier Chamber, Hagan Hamilton, Vilardi, Reeves Trucking, and Stimson Lumber.
“The event would not be possible without our generous sponsors,” Fawcett said.
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