Woosley benefit BBQ raises thousands

Hundreds turned out Sunday, June 29, for a fund-raising barbecue and silent auction at Black Butte Ranch to raise money for Carol Woosley, a waitress at the Lodge restaurant who is battling cancer.

It also turned out to be a festive event.

A total of approximately $24,400 was reported Sunday with more to come, according to Pixie Carson, a Black Butte Ranch resident, who spearheaded the Black Butte Ranch Women's Association, and Maxine Braune, head of the BBR Lodge Restaurant where Woosley worked for 18 years. Some 250 to 280 came for the barbecue alone, it was reported.

"The turnout was just incredible," Braune said. "which shows the love and respect we all have for Carol. It did take a lot of effort, but it was all worth it."

The spirit of the day became contagious as time passed for the silent auction to end. There were 122 items up for bid, each with a sign-up sheet that had a suggested amount for the bidders. To bid, one simply signed the sheet after the last name on the list or jumped to a higher figure to try to insure the winning amount.

The items were displayed artistically on 12 tables covered with white tablecloths. Many of the bidders, it was noted, watched one or more items in which they were particularly interested and if another person bid at a higher number, the first would immediately sign just below becoming the highest bidder again.

The final name on the list when bidding was over at 2 p.m. was the winner. However, it was pointed out, Carol Woosley was the ultimate winner as 100 percent of all the take from the auction income was put in her fund.

All auctioned items were donated. There were no expenses.

"Every dime we received today and in the future will go to help with (Woosley's) medical expenses not covered by insurance," Braune said. "She has cancer and is in need of an expensive bone marrow transplant."

Braune said that all the food and beverages for the barbecue were also donated and the staff at Black Butte Ranch did the preparation without cost. Food Services of America gave all of the food. High Desert Beverage Distributors provided beer and Columbia Haines donated the wine. The Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Bend gave all the soft drinks.

Members of the Women's Association made over 40 desserts.

"Tough to decide which platter to take from," said one happy chocolate lover.

Hans Teufl, long-time chef at the Black Butte Restaurant, came out of retirement to help David Berge prepare the "magnificent and elegant feast," as it was labeled by one of the hungry diners. It consisted of barbecued chicken and ribs, a tossed green salad, potato and macaroni salads, and corn-on-the-cob. Everyone, young and old, rich and poor, donated $10 for the repast, all of which went into the fund.

"Kim Giles and virtually every employee in our food and beverage services, and especially our servers, gave of themselves to make this happen," said Braune. "We contacted hundreds of stores and shops, servers and providers to get the auction items.

"This was not just a local event as we had things given to us from all over," she said.

Examples of several of the items included: A VIP Wine Tour at King Estate in Dundee given by the winery, valued at $125; an eight-inch buffalo, sculpted in Alabaster valued at $350 from Jessie and Paul Goodmanson; one-week stay at the Westin Los Cabos Resort, donated by Peter Hatt with a value of $1,750.

A set of eight crystal glasses in five different styles from the 1960s (40 glasses total) with a value of $800 was donated by Jessica Boyne of Bend. There was a handmade quilt by Tonye Philips and a framed photo of Mt. Washington by Bob Hill. Alicia Knox gave one of her Aspen Watercolors.

One of the items displayed for public auction was a ruby and diamond ring, set in gold, donated by Carol Woosley. Unbeknownst to her, several of her friends went together and purchased the ring. They will return it to her.

Additional contributions may be sent to Maxine Braune at Black Butte Ranch, Box 8000, 97759 or she can be reached at 595-1259.