All of the hard work and preparation paid off this year for the annual Country Fair fundraiser at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living.
“Everything, including the weather, made the day as special as hoped for,” said Cathy Carter, Marketing director. Nearly 800 guests attended the carnival and heard live music all day featuring Ryan Kolberg, Mike Stillman, Kerry Williams, Ted Horwitz, The Strawberry Mountain Band and Willy & Nelson. In addition young and old enjoyed pony rides from Double Mountain Ranch, bouncy house and slide, carnival games, cotton candy, root beer floats, cupcake tower, face painting, barbecue, snow cones and prizes.
Carter said the fun had a very meaningful purpose: a fundraiser for Hawks Ridge Assisted Living Senior Wish Program, a program along the lines of “Make a Wish.” All of the proceeds from the fair will be used to grant members of the community a special wish.
“Nearly $2,000 was raised and we were thrilled to be able to share our community with the rest of our Hood River community.” said Kelly Emerson, Administrator at Hawks Ridge.
“Last year, with funds raised from the Country fair, we were able to grant Senior Wishes to some really deserving individuals, highlighting their passions and interests. We have taken a previous mayor of La Grande back to his city for a ceremony in his honor and a tour of the city in his old Cadillac. We have taken a woman who always wanted to go to High Tea at the Empress to the Columbia Gorge Hotel for High Tea and surprised her with her daughter and granddaughter!
“Another woman who is a fan of trains and Elvis got a double wish when we took her on the Mt. Hood Railway Dinner Train with an Elvis impersonator. Most recently, a woman who had a stroke and taught herself how to do all of her art on the other side of her body, was granted the wish of having an art viewing and sale. She always wanted to have a showing and even sold three paintings” Carter said.
Sponsors of the 2014 Country Fair Fundraiser included; New York City Sub Shop, Pacific NW Federal Credit Union, Apple Valley BBQ and Country Store, Providence Hospice of the Gorge, Dakine, Key Bank, Bi Coastal Media, Heart of Hospice, Cloud Cap, Gorge Discovery Center, At Home on Oak St, Walmart, Hearts of Gold, Hood River Hotel, Pine St. Bakery Emerson Glass Art, Cascade Acupuncture, Asula Chiropractic, WAAAM, Maryhill Museum of Art, Best Western Cascade Locks, Full Sail, Bohns Printing, and The UPS Store.
Special thanks to Jacy Johnston for her gymnastics performance.
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