Annual downtown event run by Assistance League

As certain as Christmas lights and foggy evenings, for the last four years the holiday cheer of Winter's Eve Corvallis has come to town, and this Friday is no exception. The fifth anniversary of the Assistance League fundraiser is set from 5 to 10 p.m. in downtown Corvallis, which will take on the sights and sounds of a regular Dickensian street scene.

Live musical performances, including competing street corner carolers, will be scattered throughout downtown, while shops will keep their doors open late, enabling holiday shoppers to browse until 10 p.m. More than 30 restaurants and caterers will offer food samples, as well as dessert, wine, champagne, beer, Pepsi beverages and Starbucks coffee, all under a holiday-themed tent.

In addition to browsing the shops, a silent auction will offer even more gift ideas to stuff stockings and pack under Christmas trees. Assistance League specialty items also will be available. Access to the entire event is $35, which includes a ticket book and discount coupons. The price will rise to $40 the night of the event.

While shoppers can look forward to the idea of Winter's Eve as a way to keep their holiday shopping local, and receive some exciting discounts, for many of the area's more vulnerable residents, the money raised will help them throughout the year. The proceeds of the event benefit Assistance League's philanthropic programs, including Operation School Bell, SAT Review, CARES, Dental Care and Hug-A-Bear.

Assistance League of Corvallis President Carol Reeves said they've seen an increase in demand for services this year. The most in-demand program is currently Operation School Bell, which provides brand new underwear, socks, jacket, two pairs of jeans and two shirts to each child in need. The school year began less than three months ago, but Reeves said they've already had 400 orders for clothing. Usually in an entire normal school year, they receive between 500 and 600 total requests.

"It's really increased, and the price of clothing has increased," she said. The combination of higher prices and higher number of requests is making it tough to meet demand.

"That's why this fundraiser is really important," she said.

In addition to their current programs, Assistance League also has taken on a new task: The group is working with the Corvallis School District's family advocate Carolyn Hinds to purchase such supplies as toilet paper and soap for families in need. The league is devoting $5,000 to the project.

"We're not only seeing regular needs increase but basic personal hygiene needs," Reeves said.

The worsening economy isn't just putting a crunch on Assistance League programs. Reeves said ticket sales for the fundraiser are also down. She's hoping to see a big boost in sales in the next few days and a strong turnout Friday night.

Tickets are available at the Inkwell Home Store, Rice's Pharmacy, Border's Books and The Clothes Tree, or at the event. For more information, call 757-1978 or see www.alcorvallis.org.