Photo by Gary DeVon
Jerry King, a self-described member of the Turtle Clan, shows off the turtle his wife bought for him during the auction at the Habitat for Humanities benefit. The event, held at the River’s Edge” title=”263a” width=”” height=”” class=”size-FULL”>
Photo by Gary DeVon
Jerry King, a self-described member of the Turtle Clan, shows off the turtle his wife bought for him during the auction at the Habitat for Humanities benefit. The event, held at the River’s Edge
OKANOGAN – North Okanogan Habitat for Humanity and their plans to build their next house in Okanogan benefited to the tune of more than $4000 from the wine, beer and coffee tasting event held there last Saturday evening.
“It was nice, it worked out very well,” said Ivetta Howell, one of the board members for the local Habitat for Humanity group.
In addition to the tastings, the event included both a silent and live auction. Ken Neal, veteran auctioneer of many a local benefit quickly got those in attendance to open their wallets wide.
“The generous contributions of all the merchants and individuals were fabulous,” she said.
Howell, who credits NOHH Secretary Lynn Champman with organizing the benefit, said there weren’t as many pre-sold tickets as she thought there would be. However, pre-event publicity packed the River’s Edge Center with people willing to put their $20 down for tickets at the door. The donation returned three drink tickets that could be used for tastings of wine, beer or coffee.
Oroville was well represented at the benefit with three wineries – Copper Mountain, Lake Crest and Okanogan Estate and Vineyards. Oroville’s well-known Alpine Brewing Company was also offering tastes of one of their fine pilsners. The Methow offered up the Lost River Winery from Mazama, Methow Valley Brewing Company in Twisp and coffee from Methow Valley Roasters in Carlton.
“My favorite thing was the coffee roaster. I have two sons that are pretty good judges of coffee and I fear I should have bought three bags instead of two because I think they’ll each end up with one,” said Howell.
The local Habitat for Humanity group has helped build houses in both the Tonasket and Oroville areas. The house planned in Okanogan will be the first outside of the North County. The move to include more of the county may necessitate a name change from North Okanogan Habitat for Humanity to something more inclusive of the rest of the county, according to Howell.
“Were trying to extend to the entire county and we are looking for more board members, especially from the south end of the county,” she said.
The group will soon begin screening for their sixth family. They will screen candidates to live in the house to be built in Okanogan. Part of the family’s contribution will be sweat-equity earned by helping with construction of the new house.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, working in partnership with people in need to improve the conditions in which they live. Habitat challenges people of compassion to provide the initial capital. Houses are sold at no profit, with no-interest mortgages repaid over a 15 to 20 year period. The house payments are recycled to build more houses through our local organization.
