By Dylan Reubenking
dylan@yelmonline.com
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.”
Rainier School District staff, students, families and community members will gather Saturday, March 29, at Rainier High School at 4 p.m. for the 25th annual Rainier Education Foundation (REF) auction, which aims to give high school seniors the opportunity to follow Roosevelt’s advice.
The foundation has partnered with 24 local businesses that have each donated or sponsored over $500 apiece to present a wealth of auction items for the event, themed “a night under the stars” in reference to Roosevelt’s quote. Over the past quarter century, REF has raised more than $900,000 to support RHS graduates and RSD, including $54,000 in the 2024 auction. REF also donates dollars raised to teachers in the district, as it donated $13,000 in teacher grants this past fall.
Casa Mia will cater the event with a dinner that includes pasta with chicken and meatballs. A raffle and three silent auction tables will be available during the event leading up to the main auction at 7 p.m.
“I think it’s outstanding as far as the flexibility of what it can give to kids because it’s not just to go to college. It’s to go to trade schools, get certifications or nursing or electrician licenses,” Delora Hamilton, REF vice president, said. “If they are going on to college, it’s renewable every year. Last year, we raised so much that we were able to do a $700 renewal for the kids that came back and they got three-year renewals on that. It’s nice that we’re able to do it continually for the kids.”
Items up for auction include:
• $1,000 gift certificates to Whitewater Orthodontics
• Gravel, sand and bark from Old Town Bark & Supply
• Hay and feed from Kimballs’ Ranch
• Gift certificates to Quark and Odo’s Escape Room Experience
• Ridealong with Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders
• Scholarships from Cascade Camp & Conference Center
• Pickleball party from 23 Kitchens
• Three Seattle Mariners tickets
Stewart’s Meats, Steele Barrel BBQ, Overhead Innovations and Pride Construction are among the other businesses that donated large items this year and in previous years.
The online auction starts Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday, March 29, at 3 p.m. Saturday’s event starts at 4 p.m. at Rainier High School and continues with dinner at 6 p.m. and the live auction at 7 p.m. Dinner tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at rainiereducationfoundation.com in advance or at the door.
