More than 200 food industry executives recently made City of Hope’s Pacific Northwest Food Industries Circle’s 15th Annual Oregon Invitational Golf Tournament and Benefit Auction a success, raising over $264,000 for cancer research, treatment and education.
 Mike Simmons, left, and Steve Dunsworth put their pastime to good use. (Photo by Cathy Hanauska) |
Despite temperatures reaching 106 degrees in Portland, Ore., on July 28 and 29 — a record for those days — the event sponsored by Lexus Champions for Charity and Lexus of Portland drew such positive support that it raised 12 percent more than it did in 2008, despite the down economy.
The golf tournament took place at Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, just south of Portland. More than 160 players fought for the tournament title, making the event a sellout. The accompanying benefit auction attracted more than 200 participants to the Rose Garden, Portland’s sports arena. The auction included a trip to Pebble Beach, Calif., donated by Lexus Champions for Charity and generated more than $140,000.
Attendees included representatives from key retailers such as Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, Unified Grocers, Albertsons and Winco.
“The food industry has been a longtime supporter of City of Hope and an important part of our fundraising initiatives,” said Norma Morris, director of development in the Seattle Regional Office. “Industry support is integral for us to reach our fundraising goals, and we are grateful to the food industry for their longstanding commitment and for contributing to the latest developments in finding a cure.”
The Pacific Northwest Food Industries Circle and City of Hope are celebrating two decades as partners in the search to find cures, with more than $15 million raised to date.
