The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters is reaching out to its neighbors across the mountains and trying to lend a helping hand.

Paulina Springs Books and Sisters Coffee Company have partnered to put together a business fundraiser and benefit concert to raise money for the American Red Cross NW Response Fund. 100 percent of money raised will go towards the fund.

“We are proud to present an opportunity for the community of Sisters to lend support to the wildfire relief effort in true Sisters fashion — with live music and by supporting local businesses,” said Lane Jacobson of Paulina Springs Books.

“Our primary goal in putting this together is to increase accessibility to fundraising options for folks looking to lend a hand.

While American Red Cross NW Response Fund is the organization we have chosen to donate funds to, we will have a list of other organizations at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com, and we encourage businesses and individuals who would prefer to support a different organization or fund to do so! Details of these donations can be shared with us and we can add them to the total figure of funds raised as part of this effort.”

From Friday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, a collection of small businesses in Sisters will be donating a percentage of their sales to the NW Response Fund. For a list of participating businesses, see the adjacent ad or visit www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

On Friday, October 2, organizers will host a concert and silent auction at The Open Door, featuring Dennis McGregor and the Spoilers, Jenner Fox Band, and Adam and the Woodsmen. Tickets are $75/person and organizers request that folks do their best to purchase tickets as groups so that seating can be configured to comply with COVID safety standards.

“Dinner is not included in the ticket price, and we encourage folks to support The Open Door by purchasing dinner while enjoying the show!” Jacobson said.

The effort grew in true grassroots fashion, in a conversation between musician Adam Woods and Sisters Coffee Co. manager Amelia O’Dougherty. Amelia approached Jacobson about participating and they were off.

“It became, ‘How big can we do this in as short a time as possible and under the constraints of COVID?’” Jacobson said.

The activity of the fundraiser itself is a balm in troubled times, the bookseller noted.

“Gathering and listening to music feels very needed now, especially after the Sisters Folk Festival had to cancel their Close to Home concert,” he said.

Jacobson said that the response from the local business community was gratifying.

“Everybody jumped at the opportunity, which is great,” he said. “We’re all struggling in our ways, but everybody wants to step up and help. It’s a cool thing to be part of.”

Jacobson noted that having a venue for the music was important.

“We can’t just jam a bunch of people into any space,” he said. “The infrastructure for dealing with the safety precautions is already there (at The Open Door).”

Limited seating is available and tickets are available for purchase at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. A free livestream, donated by the High Desert Music Collective, will also be available for those unable to attend in person. Music begins at 5:30 p.m.

Presenting sponsors are Paulina Springs Books; Sisters Coffee Company; The Open Door; High Desert Music Collective; and The Nugget Newspaper.

For a complete list of businesses contributing items to the silent auction, see the adjacent ad or visit www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

“This is a way for Sisters to come together, and support neighboring communities as well, in a time of need,” Jacobson said.