The 22nd Annual Gala at The Riverhouse, produced by the Central Oregon Visitors Association and The Riverhouse, announced that Olympic gold medalist and sports icon, Ashton Eaton will be the keynote speaker at The Gala at the Riverhouse on January 20, 2014.
A native of Bend, Ashton Eaton is a gold medal winner and world record holder in the decathlon. Ashton is a graduate of Mountain View High School and University of Oregon.
Proceeds from The Gala will benefit the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools and establish a lasting endowment that will provide athletic fee scholarships for deserving students for years to come.
Ashton’s mother, Roz Eaton, says that her son’s involvement in high school sports was thanks to the work of the Education Foundation to ensure financial barriers do not prevent students from participating in athletics.
“As a single mother with limited finances, money (or lack of) was always a huge concern,” said Eaton. “Because of the Education Foundation’s scholarship program, Ashton was able to participate in wrestling, football and track and field. Through athletics, my son DID find his passion… and his life changed because of it.”
Since 2003, the Education Foundation’s Activity Fee Scholarship Program has benefited nearly 4,000 students, including Ashton, by providing financial aid for participation fees associated with after school sports.
Because of the well-known caliber of this event and with hometown hero Ashton, returning to Bend to serve as the featured speaker, The Gala at the Riverhouse has already sold out of tickets for this year’s event.
The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools is still seeking silent auction donations and sponsorships. To donate or to be a part of this annual event, please contact the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools at 541.355.5660. The Gala at The Riverhouse has been a solid fundraising event in the community for the past 22 years.
The Riverhouse in partnership with the Central Oregon Visitors Association produces the entire event from preliminary beneficiary selection, through donation procurement, ticket sales, and volunteer support for the evening of the event.
The Riverhouse also completely donates all the food and beverage, facility, and labor for the night of the event; thereby ensuring that 100% of ticket sales directly benefit the selected charity. The Gala remains one of the most successful charity events in Central Oregon and continues to help local non-profits in a meaningful way year after year.
The Gala evening will include an elegant five-course meal, one-of-a-kind silent auction and special guest appearance and presentation by Ashton Eaton.
Celebrating its 22nd year, The Gala at The Riverhouse has raised over $2 million for local beneficiaries such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, Grandma’s House, Sparrow Clubs, KIDS Center, Family Resource Center, Ronald McDonald House, Every Kid Fund, Deschutes Children’s Foundation, Tower Theater, Cascade Youth and Family Center, Habitat For Humanity, Volunteers in Medicine and Heart of Oregon Corp.
For more information on the event, please contact Shannon Hinderberger with The Riverhouse at shannon@riverhouse.com or 541-617-7174.
