Bethlehem Inn fund-raising dinner sets record
Bethlehem Inn announced Thursday that over $150,000 was raised on Tuesday evening at its fifth annual Spotlight on Homelessness fundraising dinner. This record-breaking amount far surpasses donations received during prior years.
Executive Director Gwenn Wysling called the community’s show of support for the Inn’s program serving the region’s adults and children experiencing homelessness “deeply gratifying,” but was quick to add that year-long financial need is great for the Inn, which receives less than 7% of its funding from government sources.
Wysling also expressed sincere gratitude to The Collins Foundation, The Bend Foundation, Representative Knute Buehler and Dr. Patty Buehler and the Inn’s Board of Directors for the $51,000 in challenge grants, which were offered to donors as a way to leverage their $1,000 contributions.
“We are deeply thankful to these foundations, the Buehlers and our own Board of Directors, who recognize the level of financial support needed to serve over a thousand adults and children every year,” she said.
About 300 attended the dinner at The Riverhouse Convention Center. Many said the evening’s highlight was hearing the stories of former residents, Bobbi Starr and Dennis and Jessica Lewis. Each spoke about their life before and after their stay at the Inn and how they, with help from the Inn staff and community resources, were able to change their lives.
The Bethlehem Inn transforms lives with shelter, help and hope by providing a warm bed, hot shower, 3 meals each day and support services for adults and families experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon. Each year the Inn provides shelter and support to over 1,100 individuals and serves 74,000 meals.
To learn more about how you can be a part of Central Oregon’s solution to end homelessness, please call 541.322.8768 or visit bethleheminn.org. Donations may also be mailed to Bethlehem Inn, P.O. Box 8540, Bend, OR 97708.
