Roll the Dicefor Education!
Local nonprofit hosts casino night fundraiser for school district
Community: Canby Educational Foundation
By Angie Helvey, Active Media

Gather your friends and neighbors, and prepare for an exciting night of casino magic right here in Canby! As Canbyites, we carry a lot of pride in our small town, whether for our locally-owned businesses, beautiful downtown, supportive community or thriving education system. We believe in nurturing our young people, as they are the future of tomorrow, and it’s to that end the Canby Educational Foundation dedicates itself. Join the local nonprofit for its annual fundraiser, Viva Canby, a casino-night-themed party celebrating the educators and students that make our schools and city so special.
The Canby Educational Foundation (CEF) was founded in January 1997 as a 501(c)(3) dedicated to enhancing and enriching educational opportunities for all students in the Canby School District. Over the years, CEF has contributed more than $1,000,000 to the district thanks to private donations, endowments and fundraising efforts. “These funds support art programs, language development, reading materials, math and science technology, special speakers and educational field trips,” says Executive Director Heather Zimmer. This is the organization’s third time hosting the annual fundraiser with a casino theme.
Viva Canby will take place on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 8, at Willamette Valley Country Club from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are required and available for purchase on the CEF website. The night begins with an exquisite buffet dinner with a short program, including a brief presentation by Jennifer Patterson, the superintendent of the Canby School District. Afterward, guests can explore and try their luck at multiple games, blackjack tables, craps, roulette and more, with the chance to win fantastic prizes! Stop by the photo booth to capture comical memories with friends and colleagues, and visit the dessert table for a sweet treat to complement your winning streak.
This event is primarily made possible by the generosity and sponsorship of local businesses. “We’d like to give special recognition to DirectLink, our Jackpot Sponsor, for its unwavering support of the Canby Educational Foundation and the entire Canby community,” Heather says. “Their generosity plays a significant role in our Foundation’s success.” Viva Canby will also honor the 2024 HERO (Humble, Encouraging, Respectful, Outstanding) Award winner, Nick Erwin. The HERO Award is presented in recognition of founding CEF Board member Roger Reif to a community member with great passion, vision and generosity who continually goes above and beyond their call of duty while supporting education.
CEF plays a vital role in bridging financial gaps by funding programs and activities not fully covered by district budgets, classroom fundraising or other grants. Some of their recently funded projects include Oregon Battle of the Books, which helps to purchase OBOB books for five Canby Elementary Schools and Flexible Seating Options, which funds alternative classroom seating to support focused and flexible learning. “This event is vital to the Canby Educational Foundation as it serves as the organization’s only fundraiser of the year,” Heather says. “Beyond fundraising, the event is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate and honor the educators and students of Canby while enjoying an evening of fun and camaraderie.” To support the evening’s event from home, donors can text CEF25 to 44-321. They will be sent a link to make a donation.
The Canby Educational Foundation’s mailing address is PO Box 1271 in Canby. To purchase tickets for Viva Canby, find more information on their website at www.canbyedfoundation.org
