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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Page A-3 IVHS football wins big at auction Annette McGee Rasch IVN Senior Contributing Writer The Illinois Valley High School’s (IVHS) football program held its largest fundraiser of the year Saturday night at the Siskiyou Smokejumper’s Base Museum - and the 2016 Touchdown Auction was a blazing success, raising over $10,000. The highlight of the evening was the live auction. A few of the big ticket times included a night at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve’s historic Chalet; a two-night stay at Sun River in Bend; a quilt donated by the Valley Girls; a cord of firewood; and perhaps the most popular item was four hours of labor from the football team. “Ten members of the team stood in front of the crowd when the bidding for them started, and you could see how proud they all were. They stood so straight,” said Mary Valenzuela, one of the event’s key organizers. “Team members also walked out the auction items and they presented themselves so well. They also helped set the place up and tear it down after.” Valenzuela’s son, Three Rivers School District Superintendant Dave Valenzuela, was a big crowd pleaser in his role as auctioneer. “Dave was phenomenal,” said head football coach Bruce Reece. “We wouldn’t have had so many people give as much as they did without Dave interacting with people and joking around the way he did.” Art’s Red Garter POOL TOURNEY Tuesdays @ 6:30 “It was a good time,” said Dave Valenzuela. “I was thrilled to be the auctioneer. I love connecting with people and meeting new people. We even had a big bunch from Rogue Community College there and Link and Jennifer Phillippi came along with them. That was pretty cool. There were so many really generous people.” Organization for the fundraiser began in June and was a real family affair. Reece’s wife, Danielle, is also Mary Valenzuela’s daughter, and Mary’s niece, Sheri Larson, also helped spear-head the event. “Sheri is a real go-getter, she really helped make it all happen,” Mary Valenzuela said. “She knew how to organize the auction because she’d done it before. Overall, it took a village; so many people just jumped in and really helped us.” “What amazed me was when we went out and solicited donations from our local businesses, how everyone willingly pitched in,” Danielle Reece said. “I know they get hit up a lot for donations, but we’d walk into a business and give them our sponsors’ letter, and they’d say, ‘Well, of course!’ We’re so grateful for their generosity.” Dinner, catered by Carlos Restaurante, was a big hit as well. “The food was wonderful,” Mary Valenzuela said. Over 100 people attended the fundraiser. And while 200 tickets were sold, the heat kept some people home, she added. “But the weather cooperated - and the yellow jackets stayed away. We had a nice breeze.” Rockets Friday 9 p.m. DeLuxe Band Sat. & Sun. 9 p.m. Calendar Karaoke Tim & Michelle w/ Steve F r i d a y, S e p t . 2 5:30 PM KARAOKE Wednesdays 9 PM Danielle Reece said that finding a venue for the event was challenging until Gary Thornhill, a former smokejumper, suggested the Smokejumper’s Museum. “So we went out and met with him and Gary Buck,” she said. “They want people to come out and enjoy the museum and use the facility, which is really nice. They’ve put a lot of work into it, everything is so clean and manicured, it’s a real asset to the Valley. And the scenery is gorgeous - the sunset out there was beautiful. I didn’t spend much time there when I was growing up in the Valley, but going out there now, you can walk around and remember what the smokejumpers were to this Valley.” Funds raised at the event will buy tee shirts, shorts and practice uniforms, and some of the money will help with travel expenses, (Photo by Laura Mancuso, Illinois Valley News) Coach Reece said, “We already purchased new uniforms and Three Rivers School District Superintendant Dave Valenzuela helmets, anticipating that this money would come in. The community has auctions off a letter jacket during a successful fundraiser really embraced this football team Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Illinois Valley Airport. and we’re really grateful and want to thank everyone who donated to the Smith reported that 30 community support, how much they auction and attended the event. Good want to help out,” Smith said. players turned out for football things are coming up for the team.” practice Monday night, and said, Football season starts Friday The team benefits from a deep “We anticipate that number will night at Scio High School. The first pool of coaching talent. There’s grow once school gets started. The home game is in Sept. 9, at 7 p.m., 10 assistant coaches, and they all program is definitely headed in and the IVHS Cougars will play attended the fundraiser, along with the right direction. Bruce is a great Santiam Christian High School. their significant others. “And that “It’d be great if a lot of people come coach, and I’ve seen a lot of good even includes our new principal, coaches. We’re lucky to have him and watch them play and help us Tanner Smith,” Coach Reece said. here.” win. It only costs $5 for adults and “A lot of people really seem to $3 for children,” he added. “We’re jump in to back the kids here, and continuing to build our program that’s awesome. I kind of get goose and we’re very excited about the bumps, witnessing this level of season.” from Taylor’s Country Store MADD MOOSE The G Spot GUPPY Friday, Sept. 2 @ 9 p.m. Jammer’s Hump Day Karaoke Saturday night @ 6 Pool Tourney - Saturdays at 7 8 p.m. -midnight Every Wednesday Free Pool on Sunday THURSDAYS 7 - 10 PM Open MIC Night 6 - 8 p.m. Jay Barley F ridays @ 6 p.m Sportsman Tavern OPEN MIC BEN RICE Fri., Sept. 2, 8 - 11 p.m. Closed Saturday for Labor Day Festival SOUTHBOUND Friday, Sept. 2 7 PM $3-5 donation Eat @ McG re w’s!
