4 Thursday, April 8, 2021 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon Josephy Center hosts one-hour fundraiser with $50,0000 goal ■ Capital campaign underway to secure permanent home for arts and culture in Wallowa County JOSEPH — A virtual fundraiser is being planned by the Jo- sephy Center for Arts and Culture in support of the Key to Our Future capital campaign to purchase and renovate the building. The fundraiser will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15. The goal is to raise $50,000 — to be matched by MJ Murdock Charitable Trust — in less than one hour. The event, hosted by special guest Andy Lindberg — an actor and host of the podcast Kick Ass Oregon History — will include a short presentation about the campaign, donor recognition, testimonials from local artists and residents, and prizes. “This fundraiser is short and simple by design,” said Josephy’s development director, Kellee Sheehy, in a press release. “We’ve run this campaign on a very lean budget and have tried to maximize every donated dollar. Even though we can’t offer a lot of frills and thrills, we believe that Wallowa County residents will show up for this event and give — just because they want to.” Like other events this year, the center’s virtual fund- raiser format is in compliance with COVID-19 safety restrictions. “The Josephy Center is a gath- ering place; and, as much as we’d love to fundraise with everyone un- der the same roof, having a virtual event now means that we will have endless opportu- nities to gather safely in the future,” Executive Director Cheryl Coughlan said. THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE Long-time library Director Rich Wandschneider relayed the impor- tance of the capital campaign in this way: “The Josephy Center be- gan as an idea in a borrowed build- ing. Now the building is a place of joy and beauty that helps further our understanding of the past and celebrates all people — from the Josephy Center/Contributed Photo Nez Perce who have lived here for thousands of years,to the young people of Wallowa County fi nding their way with color and clay. Now the building can be ours and that idea can keep growing.” The Key to Our Future campaign is focused on making the Josephy Center a permanent home for arts and culture in the county, as well as restoring and expanding the center to elevate visitor experience and fi t the growing needs of the community. Phase 1 of the project focuses on the building purchase, critical safety repairs and acces- sibility for all. Phase 2 will take on the renovation and expansion of the building to increase functionality, accessibility and programming. To join the fundraising event, register at www.josephy.org/capital-fundraiser or call 541- 432-0505. UPGRADE 215 Elm Street La Gande • (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com