By Kristine Thomas
The Oregon State Beavers’ football team may have lost the 2008 Civil War game to the University of Oregon Ducks 65-38, but Beaver fans still have something to cheer about.
A first-time fund-raising competition called “A Friendly Rivalry” game between Duck and Beaver fans, was organized by St. Joseph’s Shelter in Mt. Angel. Beaver fans scored 16,759 points to the Duck’s 10,030, thus winning the “friendly rivalry.”
“There are definitely more Beaver fans in Silverton than Duck fans,” said Karolle Hughes, St. Joseph Shelter executive director.
“A Friendly Rivalry” game, Hughes said, was played during the last two weeks in November. Participants were encouraged to donate money in plastic containers labeled “Ducks” or “Beavers.” The team with the most contributions won.
It wasn’t a straight-forward highest cash total – organizers threw in a twist. A dollar bill equaled 100 points, a quarter was 25 points and a nickel, 5 points – but points were ducted for each penny donated. So if a Duck fan donated $1 in the jar and a Beaver fan put in 150 pennies, the Ducks would be negative 50 points.
“This game was a lot of fun for people to play and I am grateful to the merchants and the residents of Silverton for participating,” Hughes said.
The businesses that participated were Allison and Israel’s Jewelers, Silver Falls Bank, Wooden Nickel, Mac’s Place, Rolling Hills Bakery, Stomp, Stomp-N-Grounds, Stone Buddha, The Purl District, Howard Hinsdale Wine Cellars, Silver Creek Coffee House, Mill Street Bar and Grill, Gear-Up, Fall Line, Figaro’s Pizza, Ace Hardware and Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Although the event raised $300 for the homeless shelter, Hughes said the purpose was to increase awareness of the issue of homelessness and expand the nonprofit organization’s support.
“Mt. Angel residents are aware of the shelter and they do a great deal to support it,” Hughes said. “The reason the game was played in Silverton this year was I want people in Silverton to know more about the shelter, what it does, that people from the Silverton community use its services and for people to support it.”
Hughes said there are plans to have the second annual “Friendly Rivalry” in 2009 with the possibility of expanding the playing field to Mt. Angel.
The Benedictine Sisters established St. Joseph Shelter and Mission Benedict in 1988. The shelter honors the dignity of each person by providing hot meals; safe, temporary and transitional housing; case management and referrals; and other needed services. The shelter is also home to Mission Benedict, an emergency food bank and another program that provides shelter for up to 140 single men working seasonally in the agricultural field.
Hughes said the family shelter can house up to 11 families. There are currently nine families residing there. “We recently had three families successfully transition from the shelter to homes of their own,” Hughes said.
A nonprofit organization that receives the majority of its funding through private donations, Hughes said “this is the time of year we really hope and pray for donations to get us through the rest of the year and well into next year.”
If you would like to learn more about St. Joseph Shelter or make a donation, contact Hughes at 503-845-6147 or stop by at 925 S. Main St.
