Auction bid cards flew, desserts dashed and smiles were shared during the Rainier Education Foundation’s 24th annual auction for education on Saturday, March 23, at Rainier High School (RHS).
The Rainier Education Foundation (REF), which has raised more than $900,000 to support RHS graduates and Rainier School District, raised over $54,000 during the event on Saturday night. The amount marked the second-highest auction total to date, nearing 2007’s total of $56,000.
It was the first in-person auction in five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the event drew a packed house of families, alumni, students, business owners and more.
For the first time, several local businesses sponsored tables at the event and bid on and purchased some items. Sponsors included Uptown Lounge, Stewart’s Meat Market, First Finishers, Weyerhaeuser and more.
“That’s the only way we can have this auction is by having local businesses come and show up, as well as donate to the auction,” said Tracy Carli, the emcee of the event and a longtime volunteer for REF. “That just shows you how dedicated they are. That’s why I’m such a big believer that we’ve got to keep our businesses local. It’s our job to support local businesses that give back to the community.”
The proceeds from the event went directly toward scholarships for the class of 2024, renewal scholarships for alumni who received scholarships previously, and grants for teachers and staff for K-12 classrooms.
Items up for auction included a $500 gift certificate to Yelm Les Schwab, one ton of alfalfa hay from Kimball’s Ranch, a 100-pound custom meat pack from Stewart’s Meat Market, a wall clock from Elie Jewelry Design and a ride along with Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, among others.
Every item sold, and some even sold twice, thanks to successful negotiations led by auctioneer Cindy Schorno, who stepped in for her father, Larry, who had a sore knee.
“I know this community, and we are a tight knit community. People come here to donate to the children,” Schorno said. “It’s a surprise every year just to see that type of support happen.”
Carli was impressed by the turnout, as evidenced by the foundation’s concern that they would sell out of food. She said that while every senior class at RHS is special, the class of 2024 is particularly special and worthy of support.
“I think what I admire most about this senior class is how they came together tonight because I was a little bit nervous that there wasn’t going to be a lot of show,” she said. “But they were on their game, and they all worked together with the underclassmen. They took direction really well, and they just made it a really lovely evening. I’m really proud of them.”
To learn more about the Rainier Education Foundation, visit www.rainiereducationfoundation.com.
