Eola Hills Winetasting Benefits Upcoming Salem-News.com War Coverage in Afghanistan

The cross section of people in attendance spoke volumes about the common bonds between Oregonians.

Bonnie & Tim King, of Salem-News.com Photo by: Cindy Hanson

(RICKREALL) - The people who attended a special fundraising effort to offset costs for Salem-News.com's upcoming trip to Afghanistan shared enthusiasm and generosity under a beautiful late summer evening sky.

Salem-News.com's Tim King will cover Oregon National Guard troops in Afghanistan who are serving in a number of capacities throughout the war torn country.

Honored guests included Clay and M.J. Kesterson who lost their son Eric Kesterson in Iraq in 2003, and Paul Evans, a decorated veteran from Desert Storm who is running for a local Senate seat. Many people who made it were friends and associates and many were people who heard about the event and wanted to be involved in the effort to bring the soldier's stories home.

We are a growing, locally owned media group that is sending a staff member to Afghanistan. That is a large undertaking to say the least. We are doing it because our Oregon citizen soldiers are facing the challenges of living in a combat theater and fighting terrorism every day, yet their experiences are unknown to a degree, and not clearly understood or comprehended here in the United States.

As both a military veteran and a veteran reporter, Tim is ideally suited for the assignment. He works independently as a "one man band" shooting his own video while also reporting and later editing the story.

During the Vietnam War, stations and networks had reporters and photojournalists alongside the soldiers, and people were able to see what it was like there.

Unpopular views associated with the Vietnam War seem to have extended into this day and age with a sort of backlash, and video reports about local military units in action and in their daily life overseas seem few and far between.

People were able to attend the event because of the generosity of Eric Rogers and the Eola Hills Winery. The funds raised will be used to offset the cost involved preparing a photojournalist for work in demanding conditions. Eola Hills is providing a portion of the wine sales during the event, there was a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and people also donated directly to the cause.

Thank you to the Silent Auction contributors: Extreme Velocity Paintball, donated a paintball gun and a sweatshirt Beads a Million, donated several jewelry pieces SLAB, donated a selection of handmade soaps and holder Oak Knoll Golf Course, donated 2 18-hole games & a cart Best Lil Roadhouse, donated 4 miniature golf games Los Baez, donated dinner for 2 EZ Orchards, donated a set of homemade jams Adams Ribs Smokehouse, donated dinner for 2 Willamette Queen, donated dinner cruise for 2 Thailand Restaurant, donated dinner for 3 Lela Kelly, custom tiled mirror Tina Miller, WB DVD collections

Other organizations and individuals that are helping us are listed below, If you are interested in supporting the upcoming Salem-News.com assignment in Afghanistan, email us at:

bonnie@salem-news.com

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"SUPPORT GROUP"

McDonalds Restaurants of Salem provided $1,100 toward the trip to Afghanistan. We hardly know how to thank them enough, but we know this is one organization that sees the value of bringing the stories if our Oregon soldiers home.

Nopps Jewelry and Art provided a kevlar military issue helmet with a value of $250. This is greatly appreciated! You can visit their site: www.nopps.com

Eric Mason of Salem provided $100 toward Tim's trip to Afghanistan. Eric and Tim formerly worked together at Portland, Oregon's ABC station.

Jesse Anderson of Lincoln City provided funds to help, as did Dan and Marti Motley of Salem.

One of Salem's most courageous families, David and Arlene Banks, provided $100 toward Tim's trip.

Another pair of Salem heroes, Scott Smith and Margaret Sanner, provided funds to assist with Tim's Afghanistan trip.

Roger Yost and Alessandro's Ristorante have provided generous assistance for the Afghanistan coverage.

Camo and Gear Military Surplus in Salem contributed a pair of new military issue boots that will be ideal for use in Afghanistan.

Other supporters wish not to be named, but we appreciate them greatly, and each and every contribution makes a big difference.

THANK YOU ALL.

We will release more details on Tim’s itinerary, timeline, and other information as departure time nears.

We will continue to keep you updated on the people and organizations that support Oregon troops and are making Dispatches from Afghanistan possible.