What’s the most you have ever spent for a tray of cookies? How about salsa? Would you give $50 for a dish full? How about $550 for a Brazilian dinner?
At the end of October, Skagit Adventist School (SAS) hosted the eighth annual “Light Up A Star” auction. More than 150 community members attended the event, giving of their time and supporting the school while enjoying an evening out.
As auctioneer Kip Toner said, “Where else can you pay $550 for $200 worth of electrical work, and still feel good about it?”
As in years past, SAS teachers have involved their students in making a project that is sold during the live auction. This year the teachers raised more than $5,000 of the auction total ($59,000) through these items.
The most popular item was a United States flag that was held by Stephanie Gates’ sixth-grade class, then sent to fly in Iraq with the 351st RAOC. Lisa Dills, second-grade teacher, auctioned off a bedtime story, complete with milk and cookies for the lucky winner. Photos of the first graduating class of seniors from Skagit Adventist School, cookbooks, memory boxes, clocks and a table runner rounded out the creative donations.
“This is the highest amount ever raised in this portion of the auction,” said Ken Knudsen, principal. For the first time this year students themselves got involved in the fundraising, bringing dollars and coins to school in the weeks leading up to the auction, raising money to update the music department.
“We wouldn’t have been this successful without Jane Fish and Jennifer Coon,” said Knudsen. “They co-chaired the event and brought a level of sophistication and creativity that encouraged people to give, and the school is so grateful.”
Fund-A-Need raised more than $12,000 for Skagit Adventist Academy's music program.
Gerry Rowland and Nanette Crowell browse items in the silent auction.
