Dealers in the U.S. Treasury Ballroom turned into a casino were Rotarians from the Columbia County club. And, of course, the food and drinks (including free martinis) were a hit. All occurred with background music by the Cat Jugglers Band.

When Portland Pearl Rotary's fundraiser was completed, club members learned that the second annual Bet on the Pearl seemed a sure bet: Nearly $15,000 was raised, a significant advance for the Pearl Fund, the non-profit arm of the club. Funding for a variety of community and international service projects was expanded with the second annual fundraiser.

This year's BOTP had the additional attraction and revenue enhancement of the raffle for a Caribbean cruise for two. Winning the top prize was Ris Bradshaw, a Rotarian in the Oregon City club. The $10 ticket sold occurred during one of many visits to promote the fundraiser made by Pearl Rotarians to area clubs.

Post-BOTP comments by Rotarians proclaimed the event a success both in fellowship and fundraising: "It was great fun." "An absolute success." "The whole atmosphere was fantastic." "It was fun and profitable; we accomplished what we set out to and that was to make money for our projects."

The Nov. 14 event in downtown Portland raised almost 50% more than the inaugural casino night (held in partnership with Portland Center Stage at the Gerding Theater in August 2008). The 2009 event introduced a Ro

tary link with the Columbia County club who rented their gaming tables and then provided the dealers. Pearl Rotarians will reciprocate on Saturday, March 13, 2010, dealing blackjack in St. Helen's. Columbia President Gary Liao added his congratulations to the Pearl Club by e-mail: "Great job with (Pearl's) casino night and fundraising. It was a great success and I had fun and my dealers had fun. Well done!"

Pearl President Don Smith credited the many Rotarians and contributing individuals and firms for their participation and support. "Our club rallied in countless ways to organize and promote Bet on the Pearl and the cruise raffle," Smith said. "We had 80 percent of our members in the ballroom, volunteering and playing a remarkable show of support. The gifts for prizes and the auction and financial donations made were very much appreciated. Bet on the Pearl II was a winning wager."

Photos by Dmitry Girich

Photo caption(above):

Columbia County Rotary President led a volunteer of casino dealers, here at the craps table surrounded by Bet on the Pearl wagerers.

Pearl Rotarian Dave Price made a bet at the Saturday, Nov. 14, fundraiser at the U.S. Treasury Ballroom.

Fellow Presidents Don Smith, Pearl club (left) and Gary Liao, Columbia County, led Rotarians in the cooperative effort to stage the casino night.

Greg Mottau, Pearl Rotarian and fundraising chair, exemplified the Bonnie and Clyde theme (here flanked by his mother, Marjorie Mottau, and sister and fellow Rotarian Cindy Brown).