Compass Commercial, Central Oregon’s premier commercial real estate services firm commemorated its 20-year anniversary at an event last month, gathering over 175 members of the Central Oregon business community including longtime clients, civic partner organizations and vendors to help raise awareness and funds in support of two nonprofits serving the needs of Central Oregon’s homeless families.
Bethlehem Inn and Shepherd’s House Ministries were co-recipients of a $5,000 contribution made by Compass Commercial and nearly $7,000 raised through on-line donations and during the event’s silent auction, held at the new Tetherow pavilion on September 29th.
The event was supported through in-kind donations from 10 Barrel Brewing, Boneyard Beer, Crater Lake Spirits, Bend Magazine and Willamette Valley Vineyards, and included generous silent auction donations from Breedlove Guitars, French Market, Brickhouse, The Blacksmith Restaurant, Willamette Valley Vineyards and The Friedman Family.
“We wanted to do something special to thank our clients and the greater business community for giving us the opportunity to serve their commercial real estate needs over the last 20 years,” said Pat Kesgard, CCIM, president of Compass Commercial. “We felt our milestone anniversary provided an appropriate time to share the mission of two organizations serving the growing needs of homeless families in our community.”
Since its founding in 1996, Compass Commercial has encouraged volunteerism and financial support of community organizations as part of the company culture. Partners Steve Toomey, CCIM and Howard Friedman, CCIM serve on the boards of Shepherd’s House Ministries and Bethlehem Inn respectively and were instrumental in bringing the two organizations’ missions to the attention of the Compass Commercial leadership team. As a result, Compass Commercial committed $15,000 in support of the two organizations over the next three years.
“Bethlehem Inn is currently focused on improving their long-term facility issues,” said Friedman. “As a volunteer food preparer and server at the Inn, I’ve seen how lives are affected and supported by Bethlehem Inn. It was important to me and to Compass to shed light on the challenges faced by the organization and the increasing needs of the families they serve.”
Bethlehem Inn is currently housed in an old motel that was not designed to accommodate the range of services offered by the organization. As Bend’s population continues to grow, the Inn is focused on planning for the future and looks to update their facility to house the increasing needs of the community.
“The adults and children who stay at Bethlehem Inn are amazed by the outpouring of community support that helps to feed and shelter an average 75 people a night including families,” explains Gwenn Wysling Executive Director. “Providing this vital safety net to over 1,000 individuals including families each year has a very powerful impact on our community to both those who are served and those who serve.”
Shepherd’s House Ministries is also committed to transforming the lives of people who have fallen on hard times. As a broker, Toomey helped the organization with their real estate needs, including securing the land for the development of Shepherd’s House Ministries’ shelter for Women and Children. He actively serves on their board and as a mentor to families facing challenges from homelessness, addiction, and abuse.
“It has been a privilege being a client of Compass Commercial for over 15 years and now being on the receiving end of the firm’s generosity and support for our community through Shepherd’s House Ministries,” said Brian Gatley, Director of Operations for Shepherd’s House Ministries.
“We are humbled by Compass Commercial’s generosity and desire to help Shepherd’s House Ministries touch lives that are devastated by poverty, brokenness, and life controlling issues that lead to homelessness,” said Curt Floski, executive director. “We are grateful to Compass for being community minded and involved in seeking solutions for the most vulnerable.”