Portland, OR. More than 825 guests gathered on March 3rd at the Oregon Convention Center for the 34th annual Classic Wines Auction, raising nearly $3 million for five local nonprofits. Guests bid on distinctive auction items while enjoying gourmet cuisine presented by top local chefs and, of course, the gala’s signature fine wines. Proceeds support children and families in our community served by the beneficiaries, including: Metropolitan Family Service, YWCA Clark County, Friends of the Children, New Avenues for Youth and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. Classic Wines Auction events have raised more than $43 million since 1982. (Photo credit, John Valls Photography)
Event chairs and Honorary Wine Ambassadors: Peter Andrews (chair), Gilles de Larouziere (Maisons & Domaines Henriot), Jill Nelson (chair), Shari Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Mike Etzel (Beaux Freres Winery), Garen Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Tara Kinateder (chair) and Richard Moreau (Maisons & Domaines Henriot).
Danielle Lee served guests from a “champagne skirt.”
Cyndi Challacombe, representing Cristal Champagne, pours for guest Wes Mallard.
Leslie Durst celebrates her winning bid.
Michelle and Jim Fitzhenry show their support.
Participants from ‘Friends of the Children’ share their stories on stage.
Brian Garish bids big.
Martin Green bids high in the live auction.
Guests enjoy the party.
Jim Mark, CEO of Melvin Mark Companies, First Growth Sponsor of the 2018 Classic Wines Auction
Mark and Tricia Cooper make their move in the live auction.
Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Stricklen welcomes guests with the help of the Starella Sisters.
Chef Allan Wambaa prepared a gourmet five-course meal, paired with wine from the Wine Ambassadors.
Bubbly was provided by Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.
Guests peruse the wine section of the silent auction.
Portland’s Starella Sisters welcome guests to the party
Taft Stricklin earns a moment in the spotlight.
Jason Zidell gets ready to bid
Matt Felton raises his paddle to support local nonprofits.
Guests danced to Hit Explosion at the NIGHTCAP after party.
From Classic Wines:
OUR 2018 NONPROFIT PARTNERS:
Working with multiple nonprofit partners to spread the wealth and maximize our impact in the community.
The Classic Wines Auction supports the good work of Oregon and Southwest Washington organizations by providing funds to pre-selected nonprofit partners benefiting children and families. This year, we are honored to partner with Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. Proceeds from the 2017/2018 Classic Wines Auction series of events will benefit these five organizations.
Interested in becoming a Classic Wines Auction nonprofit partner? Learn more here.
METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICE (MFS) Portland, Oregon Nonprofit Partner Since 1982
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) helps people move beyond the limitations of poverty, inequity and social isolation.
With a focus on prevention, MFS delivers proven programs and innovative solutions to help more than 30,000 people succeed at home, in school and in the greater Portland and SW Washington area each year. MFS is reaching out across the lifespan, creating opportunities that enable people of all ages and abilities to live with dignity and realize success.
Visit Metropolitan Family Service Online
New Avenues for Youth Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2005
New Avenues for Youth works in partnership with the community to prevent youth homelessness and provide homeless and at-risk young people the resources and skills needed to lead healthy, productive lives.
Since 1997, New Avenues for Youth has offered programs and services that empower homeless youth to exit street life. With an increasing focus on homelessness prevention, New Avenues is building brighter futures for Portland’s most vulnerable youth and moving closer to its vision of a community in which all young people have a safe place to call home.
Visit New Avenues for Youth Online
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN – PORTLAND, Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2006
Friends of the Children breaks the cycle of generational poverty by giving children facing the highest-risks the ability to create a new story.
Children born into generational poverty believe they have no future, no potential, and their highest hope is merely to survive. These children are at high risk for teen parenting, incarceration, high dropout rates, and gang violence. Friends of the Children helps the highest-risk children dramatically change their story by providing each child with a salaried, professional mentor, or a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.
UNITY CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2016
The right care at the right time.
The Unity Center for Behavioral Health is a 24-hour behavioral and mental health services center providing immediate psychiatric care and a path to recovery for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Visit Unity Center for Behavioral Health Online
