Community organizations received early holiday presents this year as both the Mayor’s Ball and the Oktoberfest committees awarded grants.
John Gooley, president of the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, announced the distribution of $115,650 to be shared by 57 nonprofit organizations in Mt. Angel and surrounding communities. Gooley said the figure doesn’t include the $661,000 earned by 50 community groups that operated food booths. Grant recipients include Mt. Angel Community Foundation, St. Joseph Shelter, Mt. Angel Community Chest, Silverton Community Aid, Providence Benediction Nursing Center, the schools in Mt. Angel and Mt. Angel Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Silverton Ken Hector and his wife, Darby, have hosted a Mayor’s Ball for 16 years, raising more than $300,000 for local charities and nonprofit organizations. This year, Hector said $46,525 was awarded to 25 groups including Habitat for Humanity, Silverton Mural Society, Silver Falls Family YMCA, Silver Falls Soccer Club, Silverton Chamber of Commerce, Providence Benedictine Foundation, St. Joseph’s Shelter and Silverton Together. “It has been most rewarding to be part of the Mayor’s Ball,” Hector said. “To be able to have so much fun and raise money for worthy causes, it just doesn’t get better than that.”
He said he and Darby owe a huge debt of gratitude to the sponsors, donors, merchants and those who attended.
He said the Mayor’s Ball wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the support of the Mayor’s Ball Committee.
