Holiday Giving-Help is needed
Throughout the year Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty and associates sponsor many local events, charities and fundraisers, to generate positive change in the communities that we live, work and play in. The Holiday Giving drive began in November and still needs some help. As a group Cascade Sotheby’s has selected a number of charities in Central Oregon to sponsor this holiday season.
In Bend three organizations have been selected to sponsor: The Family Kitchen, Fostering Hope and Shop with a Cop.
The Family Kitchen started over 27 years ago and focuses on feeding the hungry Monday through Saturday, serving an astonishing 5,000 meals a month. The staff is made up of three part time employees and about 250 dedicated volunteers who pride themselves in doing good for the less fortunate in our community, contributing by doing everything from grocery shopping to making table settings. The Family Kitchen is located in downtown Bend and is always in need of canned, non perishable pantry items. Dry beans, peanut butter, canned tuna, pasta, and canned fruits and vegetables are always in high demand.
Fostering Hope Ministry was set up through the Westside Church in Bend. It directly benefits children who are currently in the foster program, children who have incarcerated parents along with other Central Oregon families in need. Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty has sponsored the group before and thoroughly admires the work that they do. Last year $1400 in meal donations was raised and over 90 blankets collected! This year blankets for children of all ages will be collected again as well as money to provide a family with a “holiday meal”. Food 4 Less works in conjunction with this program and offers the fixings for a full holiday meal for $27. Hats, gloves, socks and board games will also be accepted.
Shop with a Cop focuses on helping make the holidays a little brighter by providing an opportunity for children to engage in a positive police interaction. The Bend and Redmond Walmart stores are the contributing stores in the area this year. Selected students, usually chosen by volunteers and teachers, are picked up from their schools by local officers and driven to Walmart where they get to spend some one on one time with their uniformed partner and shop for presents for their family members as well as themselves. Many of these children often select the most basic gifts such as toasters or room heaters. This program has been widely successful in impacting many area youngsters. In 2012 there were 110 children that participated in buying over 537 gifts. Any financial support for this charity event is welcome.
In Sunriver, Cascade Sotheby’s has chosen to support fundraising activities for New Generations. This non-profit group started in 1999 and strives to provide children from the age of 6 weeks through 4th grade with a wonderful pre-school and childcare facility. The New Generations community believes highly in surrounding young children in a safe and interactive environment that will fuel their desire to learn about a variety of different things from nature, to culture and family. hey are located in the Sunriver Business Park, just past the “Hammer Time” hardware store. There are currently several children attending the school on scholarships with many more waiting for such. Donations of school supplies, blankets, books and toys will allow funds to be allocated towards these scholarships.
And finally in Sisters, Cascade Sotheby’s is very pleased to be supporting Circle of Friends which is a mentoring program for at-risk children. Their mission is to provide children with a loving and nurturing relationship with an adult to whom they can depend on. Each adult volunteer is paired with an individual in need of guidance. The Sisters Office Associates will be taking donations of games for elementary aged kids.
Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty is grateful for the support of our associates and the community during this giving drive. All offices will be open to take donations.
