Join us to support student success at our auction on April 24
03/30/2010
The Edmonds College Foundation holds its annual auction 6 p.m., Sat., April 24 in Triton Union 202 at the college, 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood. The auction is the college’s biggest fundraiser in support of access, success, and excellence for students, faculty, and staff at Edmonds College.
The student speaker at this year’s auction will be Cynde Hall, 48, of Everett, a single mother of five children, who is earning a two-year Information Security and Digital Forensics degree at the college in order to support her family and inspire her children.
“Education is the foundation to everything. It’s empowering. Everybody needs to know it’s available,” said Hall. “Education provides opportunities to get out of poverty, gain confidence, and be able to say, ‘I’m employable. I’m valuable.’”
Once she has her degree, Hall will look for work in the computer information systems industry and would like to use her computer skills to help other women attain education and economic independence. She plans to volunteer for organizations such as YWCA Pathways for Women and Housing Hope.
People who have been able to improve their lives with a community college education often inspire their families and peers and look for ways to share the opportunity with others. This is why community colleges deserve strong public support at events such as the auction, according to community leaders.
“It’s never just about that one person’s life. Parents inspire their children. Whole families are lifted by education and opportunity,” said board member Jean Sittauer-Gouge, who has volunteered with the Foundation for nine years. “The community college creates so much outreach to other people and their families. Of all the things I could do, supporting my local college is the most helpful to the most people.”
The Foundation auction is supported by local businesses including: the presenting sponsor Comprehensive Wealth Management, corporate sponsor The Pacific Financial Group, as well as The Boeing Co., Fluke Corporation, and Premera Blue Cross.
Dinner features a menu prepared by guest chef Wayne A. Johnson of Seattle’s Andaluca. Items available for bid include: a signed Felix Hernandez Rookie of the Year Jersey, a dog sled adventure in Banff, and a Walla Walla Wine Weekend. Many additional items and experiences have been donated by local businesses including, in downtown Edmonds: Arista Wines, Thai Cottage, Manya Vee Selects, Housewares, The Resident Cheesemonger, Garden Gear, Edmonds Bookshop, The Loft, Gallaghers’ Where U Brew, J. Rankin Jewelers, Chanterelles, Running in Motion, Walnut Street Coffee, Olives, Nama’s Candy Store, Mar-vel Marble, Epulo Bistro, and PCC Cooks.
The Foundation auction, “An Evening in the Vineyard,” begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction. Dinner and a live auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost: $150 per patron, $1,500 per table of eight, and $3,000 for a VIP table of eight.
###
The Edmonds College Foundation, established in 1982, supports access, success, and excellence for students, faculty, and staff at Edmonds College. The Edmonds College Foundation Board of Directors is: Chair Steve Pennington, Vice Chair Jean Sittauer, Secretary Ken Chandler, Treasurer Diana Clay, Past Chair Ruth Arista and Cheryl Arford, Mark Bailey, Nils Bajczuk, Ken Chandler, Nicholas Echelbarger, Doug Fair, Kevin Hanchett, Barbara Hanson, Kim Karrick, Libby Lewis, Michael P. Meiers, Karen Miller, Dean Nichols, Meg Rankin, MaryAnn Sailors, Margaret Setchfield, Vaughn Sherman, and Paull Shin.