Edmonds CC Foundation has 27th annual gala auction to support student success
02/11/2013
 |
|
Foundation's A Vintage Evening gala auction's guest chef Thierry Rautureau – The Chef
in the Hat
|
The Edmonds College Foundation holds its 27th annual gala auction 6 p.m., Sat., Feb. 23 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.
More than 45 percent of the students at Edmonds CC require financial assistance to attend. Many must work while attending school to support their families. Others are laid off employees trying to update job skills. And some are recent high school graduates who are eager to continue their education. Each year, the Foundation awards more than 150 scholarships to help these students progress in or complete their programs of study.
The student speaker at the event will be Lori Munro, 45, of Monroe. She is the first in her family to attend college. After dropping out of high school, Munro thought college was not for her. It wasn’t until the end of a 20-year marriage that Munro realized she needed to do something for herself — and that included pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.
Munro was able to attend college because of a scholarship she received from the Foundation. She earned her Associate of Arts in Pre-Nursing degree in December. Munro is currently completing her Patient Care Technician certificate while applying to nursing programs. Her goal is to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then work as a nurse in hospice or pediatric oncology.
“I was blessed to receive a Foundation scholarship,” said Munro. “The scholarship allowed me to stay in school and literally kept a roof over our heads.”
The Foundation auction is supported by local businesses including: the presenting sponsor Comprehensive Wealth Management, as well as corporate sponsorships from The Boeing Co. and Premera Blue Cross.
"A Vintage Evening gala auction receives so much support from businesses and individuals in the Edmonds area and throughout Puget Sound,” said Ruth Arista, auction co-chair and owner of Arista Wine Cellars in Edmonds along with her husband, David Arista. “With so many supporters, how can it not be a success?”
Dinner features a special menu designed by guest chef Thierry Rautureau – The Chef in the Hat. Rautureau, a James Beard Award winner, owns local restaurants Rover’s and Luc. Edmonds CC Culinary Arts students will work with Rautureau to prepare the meal for guests.
Items available for bid include amazing wine vintages; golf packages to Seattle Golf Club and Inglewood Golf Club; week long stays in Cabo San Lucas and Whistler; a four-day salmon fishing adventure at Blackfish Lodge in Sooke, BC; a private sailboat adventure for four on Puget Sound; a five course dinner for four at Rover’s; and a unique opportunity to soar over Puget Sound in a B-25 Bomber from World War II.
New this year is a raffle for a French getaway for two for a week’s stay at La Pierrée in the medieval Montagne Noire town of Cuxac-Cabardes, and includes airfare and accommodations.
Many additional items and experiences have been donated by local businesses including, in downtown Edmonds: A Very Taki Tiki Bar & Grill, American Brewing Company, Arista Wine Cellars, Bill the Butcher, Chanterelle, Cline Jewelers, Demetris Woodstone Taverna, Edmonds Bookshop, Edmonds Theater, Gallaghers’ Where U Brew, Glazed & Amazed, J. Rankin Jewelers, Nama’s Candy Store, Revelations Yogurt & Dessert Bar, The Cheesemonger’s Table, The Loft, and Walnut Street Coffee.
“With kind efforts by people such as our guest chef Thierry Rautureau and donors such as Comprehensive Wealth Management, this year promises to be one of our best,” said Arista.
The Foundation gala auction, “A Vintage Evening,” begins at 6 p.m. with the main reception and silent auction. Dinner and a live auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Seats are still available! Tickets cost: $175 per patron, $1,500 per table of ten, and $3,000 for a VIP table.