Bend, Ore. – On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Kendall Auto Group hosted a community‑wide fundraiser called Kendall’s Catwalk for a Cause. The evening’s activities, including a paddle raise, surpassed the $50,000 goal and ultimately produced $356,000 for local nonprofits and for Silver Rail Elementary, which is still recovering from the recent school shooting.
Fundraising Highlights
Guests at the event contributed enough to trigger Kendall Auto Group’s full $50,000 donation match. That matching commitment helped push the total raised for the community to $356,000. More than $100,000 of the proceeds are designated for Silver Rail Elementary, where the funds will support safety improvements, counseling services, and a new scholarship fund in honor of Megan Lambert, a former student who championed youth athletics.
Community Voices
Jim Muzynoski, a Silver Rail PTO board member and father of a student at the school, took the stage to share his personal experience of the tragedy and to stress the importance of restoring a safe learning environment. “Now is our chance to reclaim our school, and we do that by raising funds to make sure we get all the safety improvements we need and get all the help required for our students, teachers, and staff,” he said.
Muzynoski’s remarks underscored the broader goal of the fundraiser: to provide immediate relief for victims and families while also building long‑term resources for the school’s recovery.
How the Funds Will Be Used
Kendall Auto Group will work closely with the Silver Rail PTO to identify priority projects. The organization plans to allocate money toward upgraded security systems, mental‑health counseling, and the Megan Lambert scholarship, which will assist youth athletes who lack the financial means to participate in sports.
In addition to the school‑focused portion, the event benefited Furnish Hope, a Central Oregon nonprofit that transforms vacant houses into furnished homes for families in need. The partnership highlights the event’s dual focus on education and broader community welfare.
Local Business Support
The success of the Catwalk for a Cause reflects the strong tradition of local businesses stepping up to aid Bend’s families. Kendall Auto Group’s generous matching pledge demonstrates how private‑sector partners can amplify charitable giving and reinforce the community’s resilience after tragedy.
Organizers thanked guests, donors, Hope Ambassadors, Furnish Hope, the Silver Rail PTO, and all volunteers whose generosity made the evening possible.
Looking Ahead
With the substantial funds now secured, Silver Rail Elementary is poised to begin the next phase of its recovery plan. The school district will soon release a detailed list of safety upgrades and support services funded by the donations.
Community members are encouraged to stay involved with ongoing recovery efforts, whether by volunteering with local nonprofits, contributing to the scholarship fund, or supporting future fundraising events that continue to strengthen Bend’s families and schools.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
