The 14th Annual Visitors Industry Gala, presented by Central Oregon Visitors Association was held at The Riverhouse to a sold out audience. This year’s event raised over sixty thousand dollars with proceeds dedicated to the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity.
In the fourteen-year history of the event, the Visitor Industry Gala has donated more than $800,000 to beneficiaries including the Boys & Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, Cascade Youth and Family Center, Deschutes Children’s Foundation, Tower Theatre and the Every Kid Fund.
The Visitor Industry Gala is a unique fundraiser in that the Riverhouse Resort donates all of the food, beverages, labor and the facilities for this event. In addition, the Central Oregon Visitors Association donates all of the production and organization, while several businesses throughout Central Oregon donate good and services to be used as door prices; thereby ensuring that 100% of all proceeds directly benefit the selected charity. This event began, and continues to be, the tourism industry’s most significant single event to benefit the community and people of Central Oregon.
This year’s event was an evening of laugher and excitement with over 250 masqued individuals attending the event at the Riverhouse enjoying a
five-course dinner, live entertainment by comedian Art Krug and a silent auction. Items up for auction this year included an original Richard Crnich sculpture, a Lauren Irving Print, a multitude of vacation and sports packages including a John Wooden autographed basketball.
On hand at the event was Mike Jensen, Executive Director for the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. “We are thrilled to be this year’s recipient of the proceeds from the 2006 Visitor Industry Gala,” said Mr. Jensen, “This increases our ability to serve more families in need of affordable housing throughout Central Oregon.”
