Big Brothers/Big Sisters Columbia Northwest finds Perfect Pairings With Top Chefs

thanks to David Anderson, Genoa; Sunny Jin, Jory; Daniel Mondok, Paulee; and Trent Pierce, Wafu who gave their time and talent for the event. Catering services provided by Plate & Pitchfork. Music by Midnight Honey. Event marketing support provided by Ivey.

Dayton, OR. August 18th. It was an elegant evening at Stoller Vineyards with dinner prepared by award-winning chefs and all proceeds benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest to support life-changing friendships. The event was called “Perfect Pairings” and special thanks went to David Anderson, Genoa; Sunny Jin, Jory; Daniel Mondok, Paulee; and Trent Pierce, Wafu who gave their time and talent.

Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized Nike as its 2011 Corporate Partner of the Year. The award was received by Tim Hershey, Big Brothers Big Sisters board member and Nike Vice President and General Manager, Direct to Consumer North America.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also honored Robert Kessi, 2011 Big Brother of the Year; Julia Marrocco, 2012 Big Sister of the Year; and Ryan Shaw, 2012 Big Brother of the Year. Robert Kessi has been matched with Little Brother Juwan for 10 years.

Some Instagram photos sent in by Big Brother/Big Sister Columbia Northwest show the lovely summer evening.

The Perfect Pairings inaugural event! Duck Pond Cellars and Stoller Vineyards paired their northwest wines with elegant cuisine.

No auction, paddle-raise or table captain collections. If attendees were moved to support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, they had an opportunity to fill-in the back of a puzzle piece to complete the “Big Picture”.

Perfect Pairing task force: Steve Wright, Aequitas Capital; Emily Bachand, Stoller Vineyards, Judi Charman, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jim Clark, Business Strategy Consulting; Tim Hawkins, Ivey; Leslie Tuomi, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jenny Schwenke, Express Employment Professionals; Tracy Correa, Express Employment Professionals; Rob Wente, Ivey; and Brittney Wright, Duck Pond Cellars.

The Stoller winery is a solar-generating, gravity-flow winery that combines progressive, environmentally-friendly design with gentle, traditional winemaking practices that minimize damage.

Catering services provided by Plate & Pitchfork. Music by Midnight Honey. Event marketing support provided by Ivey.

The Stollers also have a grand opening of their new tasting room. The celebration will be held on September 10th.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest:

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between volunteers and children, ages six through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has several other events coming up: Organizers invite you to learn how all children can reach their potential at a “Start Something” event: Vancouver Luncheon on September 27, Cowlitz Luncheon on October 23 and Portland Breakfast on November 15th.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.