By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times
Over 137 community members gathered Saturday night, April 26, 2025, at Camp Arrah Wanna for the Welches Parent Teacher Community Organization’s (WPTCO) Bid and Bloom Spring Auction & Gala.
The festive evening raised over $15,000 to support arts, cultural enrichment, and student programs at Welches Schools.
“We’re so impressed by this community,” said WPTCO President Heather Ostrander. “The consistent way it shows up for fundraising — not just for the school, but for every nonprofit on the mountain — is incredible. We feel so honored that so many people come to this event every year!”
Doors opened at 5 p.m., welcoming guests to a classic Pacific Northwest-inspired dinner crafted by local talents Chef Jason Hornor and Pastry Chef Cassie Kanable. For $35, attendees enjoyed a full meal, including dinner, dessert, and soft drinks. Beer, wine, and cocktails were also available for purchase.
Camp Arrah Wanna once again served as a picturesque backdrop for the 21+ event. The venue was festively decorated, with tables neatly set with cloth napkins, tableware, woven placemats, and living floral and garden centerpieces. Tables filled quickly as the food became available. Guests bid on silent auction items before the live auction began, featuring prizes donated by local businesses and community members.
New additions this year included expanded raffles, a lively Wine Pull with over 50 bottles valued between $14 and $120, and a charming herb and flower sale in place of a full plant sale.
Cassie Kanable, WPTCO’s Marketing and Communications Director said, “This year, we intentionally scaled back the event, focusing less on a major fundraising goal and more on meeting the everyday needs of the school. We want to make sure the event stays sustainable year after year, not just for the community, but for our volunteers too.” She continued, “We added new ways for people to support the school — like fund-a-need items, the wine pull, and sponsorships — and the response was amazing. People really showed up just to support the school and enjoyed a great night together, without expecting anything in return.”
Proceeds from the event contribute to the WPTCO’s fundraising goal, with funds earmarked for important student projects — including upgraded stage lighting for the elementary school, quality art supplies for middle schoolers, and a new Gaga ball pit. The WPTCO is also exploring the purchase of a t-shirt press to support student-designed apparel initiatives at the middle school.
“We asked staff to tell us what they really needed,” said Ostrander. “Some things are basic, like pencils and erasers, and others are about giving students opportunities to be creative and try new things.”
Kanable spoke about prepwork for the event. “This event came together because of an incredible team that’s been building over the last three years. Allison Horner made sure we had everything for food and drinks — getting donations for everything from the wine to the meal ingredients from local vendors. Heather Ostrander brought her decades of event experience to make sure the whole event looked and felt amazing, and she also tackled the huge job of collecting and logging donations using our new software.” She added, “There are so many more awesome people who made this happen!”
Allison Horner, Treasurer, spoke about the strong partnership between the WPTCO and Welches Schools. “…as Welches parents, we feel so supported by all the teachers and staff at Welches Schools, and [by] how much support our children receive.” She continued, “I have regularly had teachers go above and beyond what I would consider expected levels of support for my children. From as early as kindergarten the teachers see the strengths in each student and encourage growth and offer challenges to help them advance in those areas.”
Volunteers and generous donors were critical to the evening’s success. A special thank you goes out to the event’s major sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors: Porch Light Realty Group – Kate Wille, Skyway Bar and Grill, Parks Trucking LLC, VersiTech, and Dave & Shawn West
Gold Sponsors: Wild Mike’s Ultimate Kids Foundation, Salmon River Electric
Silver Sponsors: Hoodland Thriftway, Welches Mountain Properties, Hoodland Women’s Club, Wildwoods Pest Control, Clackamas County Bank, Tire Guy, and McKenzie Dental
Bronze Sponsors: Nicole & Matt Janssen
“Tonight wasn’t just about raising money,” Ostrander said, “It was about coming together as a community.”
For more information about the WPTCO, visit WelchesPTCO.org.