Hey, United Way Supporters: For those about to rock, we salute you
By Tom Peterson
Raising $250,000 to help locals.
That Rocks!
Bringing Jennifer Batten, lead guitarist for Michael Jackson for four world tours, to The Dalles for a fundraiser.
That’s just being a Smooth Criminal.
Doing it all in the Backyard of the Bargeway Pub this Friday night while supporting The United Way of the Columbia Gorge?
Cue the pyrotechnics. And that’s a go on the guitar solo!
You might want to get your tickets now for the Concert/fundraiser slated for July 15. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Victor Johnson to open
Our very own Victor Johnson will open the show.
“Ticket sales are going fast,” said Jeff Heater, President of the Wasco-Sherman United Way Council. “They are selling a lot out at the pub.”
You can buy tickets in advance for $25 by clicking here. They will be $30 at the door.
“We’re very, very excited,” Heater said. “Last year was our first at the Bargeway, and it brought in way more money than we ever have, especially sandwiched in between COVID breakouts. We hope to build on that with a bigger crowd and raise a lot more money and have a lot more fun.”
Heater thanked Steve Kane and Nolan Hare at the Bargeway for their efforts.
Jeff Heater
“I give Nolan hare all the credit for bringing Jennifer Batten.”
She is renowned.
“To me, this is an opportunity to see someone who truly has a long history with the instrument,” said Jim Drake in a recent review of Batten and her band Full Steam. “I know she’s been featured in many guitar magazines over the last decades, and she has learned from a lot of the best players in the world. She has taken skills from jazz, rock and blues and has made unique inroads to the guitar craft.”
During intermission on Friday, a live auction will be held with some pretty cool stuff up for grabs, including a rafting trip, hot-air balloon rides, or dinner for 12.
And it would not be The Dalles without a little history.
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Heater said a woman from Hood River has donated a horse saddle that was made by Garth Bonney in the 1970s. The master saddle maker operated his shop at the current site of the Baldwin Saloon until 1991.
“The owner said she could not ride anymore and wanted to donate it to a worthy cause,” Heater said.
Well, she definitely found it.
United Way of The Gorge serves nonprofits in Hood River, Klickitat, Sherman, Skamania and Wasco Counties because the services are often times offered in multiple counties and go across state lines.
“It’s a funny thing,” Heater said. “I found out in the United Way 15 years ago that there are so many programs, it is hard to find a neighbor or friend that is not affected by one of them. When you donate, you are helping everybody in your whole community along.”
Funds donated to the United Way go toward its Columbia Gorge Partner Agencies. Here they are.
BASIC HUMAN NEEDS:
Providing food, housing, transportation for medical needs-- increasing self-sufficiency and finding access to housing, jobs and treatment.
FISH Food Bank*
Klickitat County Senior Services
Skamania County Senior Services - Nutrition
The Dalles Meals on Wheels
Skamania County Senior Services - Transportation
Hood River County Christmas Project*
GEM-Emergency Voucher Program*
New Hope Farms (for Developmentally Disabled Adults)
Hood River Shelter Services*
Mid Columbia Action Council (Housing)*
Hood River Senior Center Meals on Wheels
WAGAP*
Community Backpack Program - The Dalles*
PROTECTION:
Keeping families safe; protecting our most vulnerable citizens; reducing isolation and providing resources for victims.
Helping Hands Against Violence (Shelter/Prevention)*
CASA (Foster Child Advocacy)*
Columbia Gorge Children's Advocacy Center (Child Abuse)*
HAVEN (Domestic Violence Shelter/Prevention)*
Skamania Co. Council on Domestic Violence*
YES* Youth Empowerment Shelter
Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center*
Hood River County Prevention Department
YOUTH ON TRACK:
Starting early with (1) Parenting Education and (2) teaching youth the skills they need to make smart choices & become responsible, productive, caring members of our community.
SMART Reading Programs*
Team First Book*
South Wasco County Youth Programs, Inc.*
Columbia Gorge Peace Village (Nutrition, Nonviolence, Prevention)*
Gorge Ecology Institute*
Mid-Columbia Children's Council, Inc.*
