week-end in Portland - part III

Life has kept us busy! Too busy to keep up with our blog! SO...finally, I am posting part III to our week-end in Portland! The REASON for the trip was to attend the Holt International Auction. The goal -- raising money for the children in Haiti! The girl on the poster is one of Katiana's good friends -- who, by the way, is still waiting for a family. She is beautiful and we hope she is matched with a family very soon!

This picture is of Katiana, Gary Gamer, Holt's President and CEO and Peter Fontana who is the founder of the Holt Fontana Village.

Peter Fontana was asked to speak a bit about the realities in Haiti and about the needs of the Holt Fontana Village. During his speech, he asked Katiana to join him. Just after he spoke, the auctioneer asked for cash donations to help build another house at the village. He began with a request for a $5,000 pledge. Two people raised their cards! He then went to $2,500 and I think about 8 people raised their cards.....he continued with $1,000 and $500 and $100. I think from this 15 minutes they raised $35,000!!! We are convinced Katiana and her cute smile brought that money in! :)

Overall - The benefit brought in $159,000 dollars that will be used for the Haiti program! PLUS the $25,000 QuicKutz raised with the cookbook project! We were touched by the generosity of those who attended! I hope to visit the Kaliko and the Holt Fontana Village again someday......maybe then, they will have twice as many children to love... and a PLAYGROUND too!

After the auction ended Katiana meet Miss Oregon who was attending the benefit! Aren't they beautiful!