Finding Joy and Giving Back This Season

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I don’t know about you, but during this time of year, it’s always special to find something that not only brings that joyful holiday cheer but also gives back to the community. There are so many ways to create these meaningful moments—and at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, we love supporting efforts that strengthen our local schools and communities, and foster the spirit of the season.

One wonderful example is a school wreath fundraiser. These fundraisers offer beautiful greenery for the holidays while helping schools provide exceptional experiences for their students.

Black Butte School

Nestled in the Metolius Basin, Black Butte School is a public K–8 school that offers a dynamic educational experience by leveraging the unique region to enhance learning. Funds raised through their wreath sales support programs that make this school extraordinary, including:

  • Low student-to-teacher ratios
  • Daily outdoor learning experiences
  • Field trips
  • Ski and swim programs

Delaney Sharp, Black Butte School District Principal and Teacher shared that, “The Black Butte School wreath sale is an annual tradition out in Camp Sherman that has been going on for decades. Students and families help sell wreaths to our neighbors, friends, and school supporters to raise money for our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Besides spreading holiday cheer, it also helps us raise money for fun experiences like field trips, food for celebrations, and supplies to help students at school every year.”

Students participate in an active physical education class twice a week during the spring and fall, enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding at Hoodoo once a week in the winter, take swim lessons in the spring, and explore local ecosystems through hiking during Field Studies.
Located in the heart of the Metolius Basin, Black Butte School is a public K–8 school that offers a vibrant, place-based education. By connecting students to their community and natural world, we create meaningful opportunities for growth and discovery.

Cascades Academy

Located in Tumalo, Cascades Academy is a small, diverse, private PreK–12 school focused on experiential learning tailored to each individual student. They empower learners to explore their passions through innovative, hands-on education in a supportive environment.

As Mandy Peoples, Parent Association Chair at Cascades Academy, and Holly Sereni, Director of Advancement shared, “This fundraiser is 100% how we fund Teacher Appreciation Week in the spring. It’s a wonderful way for us to provide our community with high-quality and affordable greenery, while also raising money with each item sold to give back to the teachers who do so much for our kids. Teachers at Cascades Academy go far above and beyond what a standard classroom teacher does. They take students on multiple trips throughout the year, for up to 10 days at a time — from backpacking through the Three Sisters wilderness to climbing volcanoes in Guatemala — and receive no additional stipend for it. We appreciate the community’s efforts to help us support and reward these extraordinary teachers.”


Cascades Academy’s Middle School students embark on a Traveling School expedition to the Oregon Coast, where they explore marine ecosystems, experience a Coast Guard vessel excursion, and cultivate essential life skills that come from learning beyond the classroom.
Cascades Academy’s unique location in Tumalo, OR, provides an ideal setting for inspiring students through experiential learning—one of the school’s core values. Surrounded by nature and a rich, diverse ecosystem, the campus offers countless opportunities for hands-on education.

How You Can Support

If you would like to order your own holiday greenery from either of these schools, please find the links below. They always order extra, so if you have found that the deadline has passed, please contact the schools to find out if you can still purchase a wreath or greenery!

To support the schools in other ways:

When you stop by any of our Cascade Hasson International Realty Central Oregon offices, please take a moment to enjoy the impactful holiday décor. These beautiful arrangements not only look amazing but also support incredible schools in our community.


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