Fiesta fundraiser supports SOAR

Senoras, senoritas, y senors flowed into a little piece of Mexico Saturday evening, May 3, for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta fantastica.

Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) hosted the fundraising event held at the Sisters Rodeo grounds.

Chef Hans Teufl, now retired from Black Butte Ranch, created a buffet magnifico, stunningly presented, while a five-piece Latin band entertained. The table linens were done in Mexican national colors. Sombreros, crepe flowers, and Maracas formed the centerpieces.

There was a veritable Who's Who in attendance and they raised their hands freely in the auction, as all proceeds benefited SOAR. The items included something for everyone, from fly fishing trips to a vacation in Cabo San Lucas.

Tom Coffield, Executive Director of SOAR, opened the festivities with welcoming remarks, followed by Dottie DeSelle's Power Point presentation. She illustrated the many different activities SOAR provides in meeting the critical needs of Sisters children.

In so doing SOAR, a 501-c-3 organization, is trying to raise funds for several projects through grants and donations.

"One hundred thousand dollars in donations is needed from our local community to show our granting agencies that these projects are important and receive support from our local community," DeSelle explained.

"Raising funds is an on-going challenge, particularly with the slow-down in the economy, but also because of the increased numbers of families asking for scholarships to participate in SOAR programs."

The organization is working hard to fund and build a new SOAR Community Activity Center near the new Sisters High School.

"The new Activity Center will be able to serve community needs every day, all day long," DeSelle said. "This will give us the opportunity to offer more services and programs for all ages.

"SOAR's new location will put us next to the high school and middle school, making it much more accessible for students to use the center. It will also be convenient for us to share school facilities," she continued.

The SOAR Community Activity Center will be built in two phases, with the first phase including a teen center, Taekwondo and dance studio, three classrooms for pre-school and latch-key programs, and office space.

The plans designed by Steele Associates Architect allow for flexible growth for a variety of community services in the future. The firm has donated over $35,000 in architectural fees.

Phase II will include a gym and additional space for classrooms as the Sisters youth community grows, incorporating additional space for other community programs and services for all ages.

SOAR has raised a large portion of the $850,000 funding through donations and grants. However, the organization still needs to raise $100,000 from the Sisters community to match a portion of grant funds.

"If we are going to effect change in the juvenile crime rates, substance abuse rates, and teen pregnancy rates, we need to offer alternatives to youth, during high risk times.

"We need to offer activities of interest, social settings that are appealing, fun and safe. We want SOAR to be the provider for activities, not the local drug dealer," DeSelle said.

According to SOAR board member Bonnie Malone, the fiesta is expected to net more than $25,000 for SOAR. The auction raised about $18,000, she reported.