COTTAGE GROVE—“I can see clearly now the rain is gone,” Johnny Nash sang from the DJ booth’s speakers near the stage last Saturday night, as white satin fabric and tiny lightbulbs hung below the ceiling in the Cottage Grove Armory.
Kyle Riege, executive director, smiled by the front entrance as he welcomed guests to the Family Relief Nursery’s Spring Gala.
Over 200 people attended the banquet and wandered into the silent auction room, perusing gift baskets, certificates, collections, and sets for bid. Some items at the silent auction included jewelry sets, puzzles, tea, knitting, grilling accessories, tarot reading, local historical photo series, botox treatments, top-shelf tequila, and weekend getaways. Trader Joe’s, Cascades Raptor Center, The Bookmine, Bochetto Day Spa, and many other businesses donated items for the auction.
The Bookmine in Cottage Grove was among local sponsors for the annual FRN spring gala.
Program host Storm Kennedy started the evening by thanking the event’s sponsors and donors and letting everyone know that all of the expenses had already been covered, so “each and every penny raised tonight goes directly toward the families and the children of the Family Relief Nursery.”
Debbie Taie introduced Riege, the nursery’s new executive director.
“Kyle amazed us with his energy, excitement, and drive to revitalize our staff, update our practices, and reach out to make community connections,” said Taie, board president. “We, as the board of directors, are elated to have found such an innovative champion for our families,” she said.
Riege took the stage and shared that the Drain location at 239 E. B Ave. has opened a second classroom, creating three new positions and doubling the number of children serving their community.
He also introduced a new family support and connections program, which works with families and children from preschool age through 18 to set goals and achieve success, whether it’s navigating housing challenges, supporting teenagers, or planning for safety.
Angela Stern could be spotted across from the DJ booth, near the opposite end of the stage. Stern sat on a stool facing the corner, with a large canvas and a lamp beside her to help her see.
She has been a painter for 30-plus years and has been perfecting the nature landscape painting in front of her for around 30 hours. Kennedy started the live auction halfway through the night, presenting Stern’s artwork as the first item up for grabs. It was sold within seconds for $350.
Other live auction items included DJ Nate Robertson’s service, University of Oregon sports game tickets, and a 10-person paella dinner by Oakway Catering that sold for a whopping $1,200.
Cottage Grove’s Beds for Freezing Nights (BFN) donated $3,500 to the relief nursery. The First Presbyterian Church of Cottage Grove matched the first 35 $100 gift from the heart donations.
The event couldn’t have been produced without the help of volunteers from CGHS track and field and the Children’s Legacy Foundation Network, who set up and took down decorations, tables, and chairs, served food and drinks, and kept track of auction items and bid totals.
A total of $35,000 was raised for the Nursery that evening.
Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader played, and tables and chairs were pushed to the edges of the room to make space on the dance floor.
“It was amazing. It was great to see the community come out and give us such strong support,” said Riege.
This reporting is supported by the Catalyst Journalism Project at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.
