Completely unscripted, totally surprising, and one of the moments we'll remember from Hope in the Heart of Portland (our annual fundraiser) on Wednesday - it was so incredible, we had to share it!
Words seem inadequate to express the joy and hope we witnessed as our member Vince pulled out a folded $20 bill from his pocket and pledged it to the community he loves so much.
After paddles raised during the special appeal from $10,000 to the $100 level, our auctioneer asked if anyone wanted to support Maybelle Center at any other amount. Vince didn’t have a bid number, as he didn’t expect to contribute financially. But that didn’t stop him! Vince held his $20 bill high and waved it to make sure it was seen.
Vince’s outpouring of love would be beautiful enough on its own. But a donor, Matt Fedota, was touched by Vince’s gift and immediately threw up his paddle to match it.
That set off a ripple of bidders throughout the room, many of whom had already given at another level - all raising their paddles in solidarity with Vince. Many of us were overcome with emotion – a mixture of surprise, hope, and pride.
I know I’ve never been so proud to be affiliated with an organization, and I hope you feel the same!
Some at the event asked, “Was Vince planted?”
I assure you it was completely spontaneous. You often hear us talk about how the work we do at Maybelle Center ripples out into our city - but the process is often invisible. On Wednesday night, we got a rare opportunity to witness how one small act can spark exponential change. Almost instantly, Vince’s $20 became over $1,000!
It really does take all of us, contributing what we can, to send ripples of health and connection throughout our city. That’s the power of the work we do every day at Maybelle Center. Thank you for being part of it.
Together, we raised over $226,000 to build a more vibrant Portland!
Sincerely,
Michelle Meyer and the Maybelle Center team
Vince's raw emotion as the room erupts in support of his $20 gift at our annual fundraiser, Hope in the Heart of Portland on Wednesday. 
Immediately after Vince's $20 pledge, Matt Fedota (pictured in the center, holding bid card #152), raised his bid card and shouted, "I'll match that!" 
The room erupted in support of Vince, by matching his $20 pledge
