Ten Friends to host annual fundraiser

Sisters-based nonprofit Ten Friends will hold their annual Spring Celebration fundraiser next week at Aspen Hall in Bend.

The event is intended to raise awareness about current Ten Friends projects as well as thank the Sisters community for their continued support.

The Ten Friends organization has made great progress in tackling some of Nepal's larger issues. Upstream fixes such as education and the construction of libraries continue to be top priorities for the group. Providing the opportunity for education to women is one program the group operates.

"The chance to get a college degree is unheard of in that part of the world," said Ten Friends co-founder Rand Runco. "Now that we have these people counting on us, they rely on us for their education."

In addition to the education program, Ten Friends is working to establish libraries designed to promote literacy. The importance of the libraries is the hope that they will break the cycle of sending young children to cities from rural areas for their education, often resulting in these children becoming orphans.

The event will feature Nepali and Indian food, silent auction items, an updated video presentation, children's activities and Nepali items for sale. Live music will be courtesy of Blackstrap, a local bluegrass band from Bend, with Brad Tisdel opening.

Ten Friends founders Mark Lamont and Rand Runco welcome the public as well as old friends to join the annual spring celebration, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21. Tickets are $10 at the door, children 12 and under are free. Aspen Hall is located at 18929 Shevlin Park Rd, Bend. Contact Ten Friends at 541-420-5910 or 541-480-3114.