Salem-News.com's Tim King is heading for Iraq to cover Oregon Guard combat troops.
(RICKREALL, Ore.) - A sometimes emotional and extremely beneficial fundraiser was held today at Eola Hills Winery in Rickreall, Oregon, to support our upcoming coverage of Oregon Guard soldiers deployed in Iraq.
Sun warmed the sparking fountains at this beautiful setting across from the Polk County Fairgrounds, where a similar event was held in late 2006 to raise funds to send Salem-News.com's Tim King to Afghanistan where he covered the war while embedded with Oregon Guard troops.
They dedicated a room section of the winery to the event that was adorned in red, white and blue table settings.
The gracious support of Eola Hills came in more ways than one, as the winery's Eric Rogers and his family donated $500 toward our war coverage expenses, in addition to hosting the event. Two Polk County area Windermere Realty firms on hand pledged an additional $400.
Ticket raffles and straight donations topped $200, and that means that even without other proceeds factored in, the donations easily topped $1,100.
On hand were many veterans, ranging from Salem-News.com's Dr. Phillip Leveque of Molalla, Oregon, a WWII combat vet, (see: Medical Marijuana Doctor Q&A ) to Master Sergeant Don Weber, (see:
Oregonians Support Salem-News.com War Coverage at Eola Hills WinerySalem-News.com