The third annual silent auction at the 2019 Bowls for Hope charity event raised, with ticket sales, a total of $8,000 for The Sunshine Fund. 

10^th Annual Bowls for Hope event at UW-River Falls raised $8,000 for River Falls Sunshine Fund

 

The 10th annual Bowls for Hope event held March 5 at UW-River Falls raised $8,000 for the River Falls Sunshine Fund. Each year UWRF collaborates with the community to raise funds through Bowls for Hope for a worthy organization that makes a difference in the St. Croix Valley. 

River Falls Sunshine Fund is a compassionate high school student lead nonprofit organization that offers help to families and students in the greater River Falls area in times of crisis. The organization offers support when family members pass, battle cancer, or have other hardships by providing gas cards, meal vouchers, and other forms of support.

 

"Thank you just seems so inadequate for the opportunity this event provided The Sunshine Fund. So much more than the monetary piece," said River Falls Sunshine Fund Board Member Melissa Godden. "It was wonderful to look around the room to see all the different segments of our community in attendance. All of them laughing, sitting with people they haven't see for a while or that they just met. Families young and old. It's a great event that brings this community together with the university."

 

Guests voted for their favorite soup of the evening and this year's winner of the People’s Choice Award went to Chef Paul Howie of the Copper Kettle for his smoked chicken sweet potato chowder. The restaurant owners and chefs also voted for their favorite soup of the evening and the winner of the Chef’s Choice Award was also Copper Kettle’s chowder.

To date, Bowls for Hope has raised more than $60,500 for local charitable organizations. 

---

Bowls for Hope Event
For an entrance fee of $25/adult and $5/children age 12 and under, participants may select and keep a bowl created in ceramic, pottery, fibers and wood by area artists, classes at UWRF, River Falls High School, Meyer Middle School and the Renaissance Academy. Attendees may then sample, at no extra charge, soups donated and served by area restaurants. Guests have the opportunity to vote for their favorite soup. A "Chefs' Choice Award" will also be given for the soup favored by the chefs participating in the event.

Parking on Campus during the Event
Free parking will be available the night of the event starting at 4 p.m. in Pay lot 2 (across from the UC) and in Pay lot 1 (large parking lot by North Hall). Please note that Pay lot 2 will fill up fast. 

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, 215 W. Maple Street, at the Chancellor's Office in 116 North Hall or at the Information Desk in the University Center starting in mid January. For questions regarding advance ticket sales, call 715-425-3201. Tickets are also available at the door. Purchasing tickets in advance will guarantee a bowl.

Silent Auction
We will be showcasing a silent auction. The auction will feature roughly two dozen items donated by artists and the community. Items will need to be paid for the evening of the event with cash, check or credit card. 

Participating Restaurants
Belle Vinez, Bo's 'N Mine, Copper Kettle, Junior's Restaurant and Tap House, Kilkarney Hills, Kinni Cafe, Mei Mei's Cookies, Paddy Ryan's Irish Pub, River Falls Area Hospital Dining Services, UWRF Chartwells Dining Services, West Wind Supper Club, and WE Market Co-op.

2019 Soup Winners  
Guests voted for their favorite soup of the evening and the winner of the People's Choice Award went to Chef Paul Howie of the Copper Kettle for their smoked chicken sweet potato chowder. The restaurant owners and chef's also voted for their favorite of the night. The winner of the Chef's Choice Award was again Chef Paul Howie of the Copper Kettle for their smoked chicken sweet potato chowder.  

Artists Contributing Bowls
Marilyn Anderson, Donna Badje, Ingrid Bjerstedt-Rogers, Eoin Breadon, Brick House Music,  Bob Brodersen, Tom Caflisch, Bill Campbell,  Cheryl Carter, Patrick Casanova, Paul Dresang, Roger Evans, Jay Jensen, Randy Johnston, Kinnickinnic Clayworks, LLC, Michael Luethmers, Pat McCardle, Jan McKeachie-Johnston, Wendy Olson, S.C. Rolf and Rhonda Willers. 

Michael Helke's ceramic classes at UWRF, Eoin Breadon's glass studio classes at UWRF, Renaissance Academy classes taught by Kyle Stapleton, River Falls High School ceramic classes taught by Taylor Berman and Kelyn King's class at Meyer Middle School.

Special again this year are bowls made by Bob Brodersen from clay that belonged to the late Doug Johnson. 

---

For further information, email Mary Van Galen at mary.vangalen@uwrf.edu.