Edmonds CC Foundation auction March 5 supports students
03/04/2011
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Edmonds College student Mor Lee will represent students at the Foundation auction.
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The college’s biggest fundraiser will be March 5 on campus.
The Edmonds College Foundation holds its 25th annual auction 6 p.m., Sat., March 5 in Woodway ballroom 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 the event will be Mor Lee, 20, of Lynnwood, an immigrant from Laos who is the first in her family to attend college. Lee was able to attend college because of a scholarship she received from the Foundation. After earning her Associate of Arts degree, she plans to transfer to the University of Washington to study criminology and pursue a career in law enforcement.
“Attending Edmonds College is one of the best things that has ever happened for me because of the support and resources,” she said. “With this opportunity, with attending school, I’m really excited for my future.”
However, supporting individual students with scholarships is just part of the Foundation’s role. “The Foundation also helps fund programs at the college in an environment where the school's budget has been cut by roughly 20 percent at a time when enrollment is up by double digits,” said Kim Karrick, auction chair of the Foundation board and special projects coordinator for Edmonds Eyecare Associates.
“Tuition only covers a portion of the college's expenses, therefore many programs have had serious cut-backs the last two years. It is more important than ever to invest in education, and the future for all of us.”
The Foundation auction is supported by local businesses including: the presenting sponsor Comprehensive Wealth Management, as well as corporate sponsorship from The Boeing Co. and Premera Blue Cross.
Dinner features a menu prepared by guest chef Peter Levine of The Waterfront Seafood Grill in Seattle. Items available for bid include: a two day outdoor adventure at Bull Ranch, a signed Felix Hernandez Cy Young award-winner jersey, a dog sled adventure in Banff, a Walla Walla Wine Weekend, and a pétanque lesson and lunch donated by the Edmonds Pétanque Club.
Many additional items and experiences have been donated by local businesses including, in downtown Edmonds: Arista Wine Cellars, The Resident Cheesemonger, Edmonds Bookshop, The Loft, Gallaghers’ Where U Brew, J. Rankin Jewelers, Chanterelle, Cline Jewelers, Walnut Street Coffee, Winged Pig, Nama’s Candy Store, Epulo Bistro, and PCC Natural Markets.
“The community continues to support its college, and this dedication has made the auction the college Foundation’s number one fundraiser for 25 years. This year, we are hoping to bring back many of our past board and committee members and thank them for this legacy,” Karrick said.
The Foundation auction, “A Vintage Evening,” 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, $1,200 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 Mark Bailey, Nils Bajczuk, Ken Chandler, Nicholas Echelbarger, Doug Fair, Brian Ferrill, Kevin Hanchett, Logan Harris, Kim Karrick, Libby Lewis, Michael P. Meiers, Karen Miller, Dean Nichols, Wendy Popke, Meg Rankin, Ken Reid, MaryAnn Sailors, Vaughn Sherman, and Paull Shin.