CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS COVO has undertaken an aggressive fundrasing campaign and, to date, has been extremely successful in securing cash and in-kind donations from individuals and Central Oregon businesses. COVO is a tax exempt Oregon nonprofit corporation and is registered as a charitable organization with the Oregon Department of Justice. Our federal tax exempt status is currently being determined and we expect to hear a favorable response from IRS in the very near future.
COVO's fundraising efforts began with a donation from VVA Chapter 820. These funds were provided by the family of Chapter 820 member, Bill Groenendaal, who passed away earlier this year. The family had asked that their friends make donations to Chaper 820 in honor of Bill's memory and his service in Vietnam. Subsequently, cash donations have been received from Smith Barney, Chris Shaker, CTS Tire, Bob Thomas Chevrolet, Black Hat Trucking, Leading Edge Avionics, Abbott Petroleum Products, Compass Commercial Real Estate Services, Rabbine Harpell, Robert Bryce, Rick Gehweiler, Integrity Development, Cascade Heating & Specialities, Robinson-Audia Development, Dandy's Drive-In, Unicom, Sterling Communications, Phil's Window Decor, Inc., Beem Construction, LLC, Jim Smolich Motors, Thomas Riley, CPA, American Energy, Disabled American Veterans, Central Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Club, Alpine East Plumbing, Mike DeGray, Sun River Country Store, Thompson Pump & Irrigation, Stearns Agency, Thomas Appleford, Jim Olson Plumbing and Mike Ward.
The new Jake's Diner, now located on Highway 20 near the intersection with NE 27th Street, donated an entire industrial strength set of kitchen appliances after the renovations of their new location was completed by Chapter 820 member and Treasurer, Ron Micnhimer. These items will be used when COVO opens its emergency shelter and transitional housing programs.
As noted below, COVO had a benefit concert on June 4 at the Midtown Rock, Roll and Rink in Bend. Midtown is owned by Craig and Rhoda and Duane and McCabe, who donated the facility for the COVO benefit. Local sound gurus, Sun Track, gave COVO a greatly reduced rate, which helped us maximize our net profit, as did our security people, Security Pros. VVA Chapter 820 member, Rob Landers, and his graphics company, Landers Design, LLC, did all of the artwork, posters, handbills and tickets, free of charge. Our public relations maven, Rabbine Harpell, and her company, Jubilee Communications/Productions, Intl., donated hundreds of hours of time at no cost to COVO. More importantly, Rabbine has offered COVO office space in her new offices in downtown Bend and we hope to have the office up and running in the next few weeks.
COVO would like to thank all of our corporate, business and individual sponsors, without whose financial and other assistance we would not be well on our way to opening our office and beginning the process to get the outreach, emergency shelter and transitional housing programs off the ground.
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Paul deLay Band Performs at Benefit Concert for COVO 
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Oregon's legendary blues band, the Paul deLay Band, did a benefit performance for COVO at the Midtown Rock, Roll and Rink in Bend, on June 4, 2005. Paul is a legendary figure in the national blues scene and agreeded to do this benefit for the band's expenses. Local blues group, the Cleveland Street Rhythm Section, was the opening act and COVO Vice President, Stu Steinberg, was one of their vocalists. 
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT PAUL DELAY
Q: Which musician have you ever wanted to be?
A: I guess I would imagine myself as this amazing blues harmonica player, Paul deLay...
- Actor Bill Pullman (Independence Day, Zero Effect), quoted in British music magazine Mojo, August '98
"This guy's gotta be heard!" - Billy Gibbons, of ZZ Top
"Paul deLay is great!" - B.B. King
"I gotta say it, man -- For my money, deLay's the best harp player in the world!"
- Hubert Sumlin, legendary guitarist with the late Howlin' Wolf
Best Blues Harmonica Player 1997 - Real Blues Magazine's Fourth Annual Real Blues Awards |
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