(Photo above courtesy of the St. Charles Foundation)
The 25th annual St. Charles Hospice Christmas Auction drew a record-breaking crowd of 670 guests and netted more than $108,000. Proceeds provide charity care to St. Charles Hospice and Transitions patients in Central Oregon.
Community members and local businesses and organizations donated elaborately decorated trees, beautiful quilts and many other items that were auctioned off at the 25th anniversary silver-themed event.
Coordinator Ann Fisher recalls that the auction was originally held at the old Ericksons Department Store on Third Street in Prineville. Now the event, hosted by St. Charles Foundation and sponsored by Robberson Ford, has become a beloved tradition in the community and fills the Crook County Fairgrounds indoor arena. A silent auction, live auction and raffle raise crucial funds for St. Charles Hospice.
“The generosity on display at this event is truly astounding,” said Sharon Strohecker, director of St. Charles Hospice. “The number of dedicated volunteers — around 75 of them — that make this event possible is as impressive as the funds raised. It’s all a testament to the depth of caring in this community.”
The highest bid of the evening was $8,000 for a single quilt, “Into the Woods,” donated by Juniper Canyon Quilting. The highest tree bid was $6,900 for “Silver Star Saloon” donated by Box R Water Analysis Lab, which came complete with a stocked bar and vintage saddle bar stools.
As in previous years, multiple items were bought and then donated back for resale, adding thousands to the amount raised.
“As a nonprofit, St. Charles depends on generous support from the community to provide care to those who would be otherwise unable to afford it,” said Lisa Dobey, executive director of community and engagement at St. Charles. “We are so blessed to live in a community where this kind of superior patient care is available to all, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.”
St. Charles Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of St. Charles Health System, the Foundation works to support and improve health care in Central and Eastern Oregon. Private donations raised by the Foundation allow St. Charles to build new medical facilities, purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment, keep pace with the latest technological advances and deliver exceptional patient care in a healing environment. The Foundation does more than just raise money for bricks and mortar. The organization also raises money to support many programs that benefit low-income and uninsured patients.
