SEQUIM — What began as a simple fundraiser has exploded into a major bash at the Boys & Girls Club of Sequim.
More than $12,000 worth of goodies, from Seattle Mariners tickets to a $2,000 whole-room makeover, and from chocolates to fishing gear, will go up for bid on today in Greywolf Elementary School’s third annual Basket Auction from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event also features bingo, a bounce house and an art table for children, said auction co-chairwoman Cheryl Earley.
“This is phenomenal; it blows me away,” she said of the variety of baskets.
There are dozens, each stuffed with items around a theme: baseball, rainy-day activities, gardening, fishing and travel to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Victoria and Seattle.
Greywolf’s gym was too small for the spread, so Earley and the Parent-Teacher Association moved it to the Sequim unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, which is at 400 W. Fir St.
“We decided to blow it up this year,” when the donations began pouring in, said PTA member and school volunteer Darcy Lamb.
“We’ll fill the Boys & Girls Club gym with things to keep kids busy, so their parents can shop.”
Basket Auction proceeds benefit Greywolf enrichment activities such as the Family Read-In, the Reflections art program and Math Night.
The school is also gathering funding for a WeatherBug weather station to enhance science curriculum.
For information, phone the school at 360-582-3300.