Residents come together for chamber, Rotary auction

MOSES LAKE — Tickets were sold out for the joint Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and Moses Lake Sunrise Rotary auction Saturday.

About 140 people attended the event to bid on live and silent auction items, eat dinner and visit.

“We were concerned donations would be down this year, but we ended up having 10 more silent auction (items) than previous years,” said Debbie Doran-Martinez, the chamber’s executive director.

Silent auction items included gift certificates and assorted bags. Live auction items consisted of trips, fine wines and television sets.

“The purpose is to raise funds for our two groups,” Doran-Martinez explained. “We always split the proceeds 50/50.”

Last year, the chamber and Rotary each raised $12,500. This year’s goal is $15,000 for each organization.

“This has been a long-standing event,” Doran-Martinez explained. “We were the first in the community to throw an auction.”

This is the 29th year the main fund-raiser has occurred.

“This is a fantastic turnout,” said Marilyn Pulis, Rotary member. “People really get behind the rotary and the chamber, which I think is so great.”

The Rotary members give the funds to the Moses Lake Food Bank, the Moses Lake Senior Center and local projects. The chamber uses the funds to operate the visitor center and fill the chamber’s kiosks with information.

“We raise money to give it away,” Pulis said. “I think any local event like this is great because it gets people to come together and have a good time. Just by being here, they are all doing something beneficial to Moses Lake.”

Kevin Walker stood at the silent auction table, contemplating which items to bid on. This was his first time attending the event.

“I am excited to be here and experience something new,” Walker said. “I put down a bid on a golf item and a portable patio heater and can’t wait to see what the live auction has to offer.”

Karen Crook knew exactly what she wanted to purchase.

“I’ve been coming here for 25 years,” she said. “I like to bid on different food items and wine.”

Friends Bill Blue, Christy Blue and Lucinda West took a break from bidding to catch up.

“We always know the chamber banquet is the banquet to come to,” West said. “I like that we can come have a good time, while being able to support our local businesses.”