Program brings "Outlaws Together'

Used to be, Sisters Country businesses and parents were hit hard several times a year with fundraising requests from sports teams across the district. That was before Sisters High School hired co-curricular director Tim Roth four years ago.

Roth, as a new hire, was charged with uniting the fundraising efforts of all athletics at Sisters High School. Outlaws Together, the campaign championed by Roth, is celebrating its fourth year this fall.

"The program is really a philosophy - encouraging all of our sports teams to work together as a unit," says Roth. "We are more powerful and effective together than each team on their own."

Outlaws Together fundraises annually in three ways: Outlaw Cards, Black & White Club memberships, and three separate Bingo Nights held during each sport season. Each of these common fundraisers supports all athletics, both OSAA sanctioned and club sports, while giving the coaches the opportunity to do fundraisers on their own if they choose.

"Our coaches have bought in all the way to the Outlaws Together program," says Roth. "At Sisters High School we encourage our coaches to be leaders and to "coach with character,' and I am proud of them modeling great qualities on the field and demonstrating selflessness to our athletes through this program."

Supporters can purchase an "Outlaw Card" for $20, ripe with discounts for area shops and restaurants good for a calendar year. New cards will hit the streets in January, sold door-to-door in some neighborhoods or available at Sisters High School.

The Black & White Club provides corporations and businesses with an annual sponsorship for the sports program with levels beginning at $500. Benefits of the Black & White Club include tickets to home games, signs or banners on one of the athletic playing surfaces, and a bonus to many business owners - the opportunity to support high school sports and only be hit up once a year.

"I've always loved and wanted to support our schools and athletics as much as possible," says Wade Underwood, managing partner of local restaurant Three Creeks Brewing Company. "We would get hit up for donations so frequently every year eventually we would have to say no. No one wants to tell a group "no, sorry, you just missed our cut-off for donations.' Unfortunately, like many small businesses, we only had so much money to allocate to support our local causes."

The Black & White Club has changed all that. Businesses get to give once a year in a much bigger fashion - and they don't have to say "no."

"It's a program that's easy to say "yes' to. I feel great that our business can say yes in a big way," says Underwood. "To say that I love the program would be an understatement."

The most popular of the three fundraisers are the Bingo Nights. There are three offered every year - coinciding with each sport season October, February and April. The events are open for anyone to attend.

The next is scheduled for Monday, October 12. For $15 participants receive 11 bingo cards to play in games that feature student athletes calling numbers. Each game has special prizes donated by area businesses, students, and parents - and the winner of the blackout game receives an iPad mini.

Along with wholesome fun, participants can enjoy a $2 community dinner (provided by an area restaurant through the Sisters Park & Recreation District Community Dinner program) and peruse silent auction items. The dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.

"I know we have made great strides in uniting our sports programs here in Sisters; I hope to see us continue to grow together," says Roth. "We have a record number of athletes out for fall sports this year - more than have participated since I have been here. I believe that shows the success of our program."