Click your heels three times…

12th Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction Promises A Year of Exciting ChangesWe’re not in Kansas anymore…It only took Dorothy three clicks of those infamous red glitter shoes to get home, but for too many Portland residents home is not an easy place to get to.On April 4, Foundation supporters will gather at a new venue, the Columbia River Yacht Club in Portland, for the 12th Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction themed “There’s No Place Like Home.”  Without giving away too many surprises, the auction will feature the best parts of the Wizard of Oz, including flying monkeys, munchkins and of course, Dorothy.  The cuisine will indeed comfort you, where attendees will experience a menu typically only found at home.The intent of the evening is to ensure attendees have a good time, share a laugh with a friend and leave with a feeling of light-heartedness, something we could all use right now. Funds raised will benefit the Foundation’s HomeAid program, which partners with homeless care providers to build shelter for women and children who need safe haven, and give them a sense of home. This year’s proceeds will allow the Foundation to complete work on the Raphael House of Portland and The Cordero House in 2009, and lay the ground work for us to adopt our 2010 projects. There are many ways for you to help.Be Our Guest. Typically, 350 guests come together for this sold-out event. The Yacht Club’s capacity is 250. With 100 fewer seats than last year, the best way to ensure you have a place in the room is to buy your tickets by March 6 at the early-bird rate of $75 per person. Tickets purchased after March 6 will be $100.Sponsorships are also still available. A very special thank you to our committed sponsors: Bank of the West, Ben Bridge Jewelers, Community Newspapers, Fireside Distributors, Lakeside Lumber, MBank, Milgard Windows, Miller Paint, NW Natural and Sterling Savings Bank. Without them, the event just would not be the same.If you can’t attend, consider making a cash donation. A donation of $75 will allow two important guests or volunteers to attend the event free of charge, while still ensuring the maximum amount of funds goes to the Foundation’s cause.Take A Sneak Peek. Spend time with friends new and old, and bid on one of a kind items only available at the auction. A Hawaiian get-away, multi-million dollar movie screening event, and a Mustang ride through the Cascades all seek your bidding attention. Ladies will love the Ben Bridge baubles, while men will seek the Ultimate Sports Experience. Keeping the tradition alive, the Foundation will again feature its crowd favorite “Wine Wall of Hope” where for a modest donation you can try your hand at a vintage or two. With a little bit of competitive bidding, there is sure to be a package that tickles your fancy.Open the Cellar Door. Each year, the Foundation holds a friendly competition between all of the HBA/HBF committees to raise wine for the “Wine Wall of Hope.” This year’s winner will not only win year-long bragging rights, but will also win a fantastic prize. Participation is easy- just bring a bottle valued at $20 or more to the HBA when you come for your next meeting.The 12th Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction promises to be an event to remember. To make sure you don’t miss out, call Jennifer Toro at (503)684-1880 or email her at jennifert@hbapdx.org. For the most up-to-date information on the event or the Foundation’s work, please visit our website at www.homebuildersportland.org/HBFFoundation.htm