Highlights from Kendall’s Catwalk for a Cause benefiting Furnish Hope & Silver Rail Elementary

On October 24th, Kendall Auto Group welcomed 300 guests for an unforgettable evening of hope, generosity, and community at Kendall’s Catwalk for a Cause, benefiting Furnish Hope. What began as a celebration of 18 incredible Hope Ambassadors and their six months of fundraising turned into something even greater: a community coming together to raise $356,000 to bring hope to our neighbors in Central Oregon.
The evening began with guests walking through a series of powerful vignettes that shared the real stories of individuals and families whose lives have been transformed by Furnish Hope. Each display offered a glimpse into the challenges our neighbors face and the incredible difference a furnished home can make.
One of the stories highlighted was that of Jessica Brace, a mother who found the courage to rebuild her life with her children after escaping an abusive relationship. After fleeing domestic violence, allowing others into her life wasn’t easy. But when Furnish Hope stepped in with furniture and essentials to help turn her damaged house into a home, something changed. She found hope for the future. Jessica not only shared her journey through the vignettes but also bravely took the stage to share where life has taken her since. Today, she is raising her children, attending school, working in behavioral health, and saving toward a home that will truly be theirs. Her story was a beautiful reminder that Furnish Hope delivers so much more than furniture. They deliver comfort, dignity, and the opportunity for a fresh start.
The heart of the evening was our 18 Hope Ambassadors, community leaders who spent the past six months raising funds, sharing Furnish Hope’s mission, and inspiring others to get involved. Before the doors even opened, these incredible individuals had already raised $94,000 for Furnish Hope!
This year’s runway featured two meaningful walks: What Hope Looks Like and What Hope Feels Like.
During the first walk, Ambassadors took the runway in groups alongside Furnish Hope recipients who held signs sharing their journeys, from where they once were to where they are today. It was a powerful visual of what can happen when a community stands behind someone and reminds them they are not alone.
The second walk brought that hope to life during the evening’s paddle raise. As guests raised their paddles in support of Furnish Hope, Ambassadors returned to the runway holding signs that showed the tangible impact of each giving level. From furnishing one home to furnishing ten homes with a $10,000 gift, guests could see exactly how their generosity would make a difference. The room was filled with celebration, gratitude, and a shared commitment to extending hope throughout Central Oregon.
The evening also held a special moment dedicated to our neighbors at Silver Rail Elementary following the recent tragedy that has deeply impacted our community. Kendall Auto Group announced a $50,000 donation match to support victims, families, students, staff, and the immediate and ongoing needs of the school. We also shared our intention to establish a scholarship fund in honor of Megan Lambert, continuing her passion for ensuring young athletes have the opportunity to participate in sports, regardless of financial circumstances.
Silver Rail PTO board member and father of a Silver Rail student, Jim Muzynoski, joined us on stage to share a heartfelt message of hope and the importance of helping students, teachers, and staff return to a safe and supportive school environment.
Our community answered that call. Through the incredible generosity of our guests, the special paddle raise exceeded $50,000, unlocking Kendall Auto Group’s full match. More than $100,000 is now available to support the Silver Rail community, and we are working closely with Silver Rail PTO to identify where these funds can make the greatest impact.
As the evening came to a close, we celebrated the extraordinary dedication of our Hope Ambassadors and crowned Annie Wayland as our Top Hope Ambassador, recognizing her incredible achievement of raising more than $23,000 for Furnish Hope! Her efforts, alongside those of every Ambassador, helped make this year’s Catwalk an overwhelming success.
By the end of the night, our community had raised an incredible $356,000 for hope in Central Oregon.
  • $256,000 for Furnish Hope, supporting the renovation of their permanent home and their continued mission of transforming empty houses into furnished homes for local families.
  • $100,000 for Silver Rail Elementary, supporting victims, families, school needs, and the intended scholarship fund honoring Megan Lambert.
There are simply not enough words to express our gratitude for everyone who made this evening possible. To our Hope Ambassadors, guests, donors, community partners, volunteers, and the incredible Furnish Hope team: thank you. Your generosity, compassion, and commitment to our neighbors are what made this night so special.
To Furnish Hope, thank you for allowing us to be part of your mission and for showing our community what hope looks like, what hope feels like, and most importantly, what hope can do. Together, we didn’t just raise $356,000. We extended hope throughout our community, and that impact will continue as our community continues to rebuild.