Moses Lake chamber holds auction
Auctioneer Jacob Barth leads the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's 2011 auction.
MOSES LAKE - About 75 people looked at items, including Masquers
Theater tickets, bottles of wine and jewelry, on Saturday.
The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's 2011 auction drew various
people to support the chamber.
Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said the organization
was hoping to raise about $20,000 from the event.
MOSES LAKE - About 75 people looked at items, including Masquers Theater tickets, bottles of wine and jewelry, on Saturday.
The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's 2011 auction drew various people to support the chamber.
Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said the organization was hoping to raise about $20,000 from the event.
"The numbers are a little lower than we usually have, but it's going to be a great crowd and we're going to have lots of fun," she said. "We have an amazing selection of stuff to bid on out there."
The auction included 90 silent auction items and 28 live auction items donated by members and some non-members, Doran-Martinez said. One of the popular items she pointed out was a wine rack donated by Genie Industries.
"It's actually a room divider wine rack. (It's) very neat, very unique," she said. "A lot of people have got their eye on that, so I'm sure that's going to go fast."
The money raised at the event funds the visitor center, which does not have a source of revenue of its own.
"The visitor center answers questions local residents have - resources in the community, what time events happen, when and where. It also services tourists, helping them with information, maps, how to get to places, what there is to do and see in Moses Lake and vicinity," she said.
Mary Kile was checking on the two or three silent auction items she bid on before dinner, saying she came to the event to support the chamber.
"They're about our community," she said. "They serve our community. They promote our community."
Kevin Donovan was also checking on bids for several silent auction items before the bidding closed, saying he's been coming to the chamber auction for several years.
"It's a good time. The chamber does a lot for the local area, so I want to be as supportive as I can," he said. "We're hoping to win some of the raffle items as well."
The event also drew Geoff Gannon, a marketing representative for the East Wenatchee Costco. He said the company likes to participate in the communities it serves.
"We like to get to know people on more than just a business basis," he said. "We like to get to know our members. We love our members."