Big Bend cellarbrates again in May

MOSES LAKE — Residents have the chance to support education by attending a wine banquet, dinner and auction.

Big Bend Community College Foundation members have hosted the event, “Cellarbration for Education,” in May for many years to raise money for the college’s scholarship fund. Tickets are on sale from now until they are sold out.

“We have sold three sponsored tables already and people are already calling to reserve tickets,” said Doug Sly, executive director of the foundation. “People should hurry and pick up their tickets.”

Tickets are $125 per person, a table of eight is $1,000 and a sponsored table of eight is $1,200. They can be purchased at the foundation’s office, located at 7662 Chanute St. N.E.

“We are really excited about the event this year because the menu is great. We are featuring many Washington wines and it is all for a great cause,” Sly said. “All proceeds go to the foundation for a variety of uses, such as supporting high school graduates in our area, returning students and professional technical students.”

Proceeds are also benefiting the foundation’s emergency scholarship fund, recently set in place after state budget cuts.

“Our need is really greater than ever,” Sly said. “Enrollment is up, funding is down and our students need the support to reach their goals.”

Over the past eight years of hosting the event, the foundation has raised around $520,000 for scholarships. Foundation members reached a new record last year, raising $97,000.

“This was a 16-percent increase from previous records and this was during a tough economic year,” Sly remarked. “It was so important to us that the community wanted to support the students. This event is really the best investment anyone can make to the Columbia Basin.”

The semi-formal event takes place Saturday, May 15, in Big Bend’s Masto Conference Center. The auction is held in the Peterson Gallery, located in Big Bend’s ATEC building.

Foundation members are still looking for auction items and sponsorships.

“We hope to improve upon our past successes, even during these tough times,” Sly said. “We don’t quite know what to expect, but we owe it to our students to go through with the event.”

For more information, call 509-793-2006.