Chamber fundraiser enlists support for community

MOSES LAKE — For most of those who attended the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Denim and Diamonds fundraiser Friday evening, it was a chance to get out and show a little support for and solidarity with local businesses in what may become a difficult time.

For some, it was also a demonstration of resilience — COVID-19 will not conquer this community.

But for at least one lucky attendee, it was also the chance of a lifetime, a moment to fulfill a long-held dream.

“It’s been on my bucket list,” said Brett Anderson, who bid $1,300 and won tickets to see ’70s rock legends Kiss at The Gorge this fall. “I’ve always wanted to go, but they were too expensive.”

Self-described “stay-at-home dad” Anderson and his wife, Confluence nurse practitioner and midwife Nicole, said they were glad they could come out to the Grant County Fairgrounds 4-H building on Friday. And not just for the tickets to see Kiss.

“It’s important to be out and show support for the community,” Brett Anderson said.

“We wanted to give back to the community,” Nicole added. “They’ve been good to us.”

“Tonight was fundamentally important for us,” said chamber Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “It’s important for guys to be here. Not only is this a major fundraiser for us, we know our members are going into hard times right now.”

Doran-Martinez said it’s important people “keep on keeping on,” stay safe, and use “common sense” practices to limit both their exposure to and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But it’s also important they not “forget about our community” and they keep shopping with the local businesspeople who need their patronage to survive.

Even people who have isolated themselves in their homes, or are taking care of kids, can help. They may not need anything themselves right now, she said, or don’t want to go out for a meal, but they can buy gift cards and gift certificates that will help keep local businesses and restaurants afloat.

“They can keep local restaurants and businesses operating until better times come,” she said.

Perhaps as a sign of the times, the chamber auctioned off “The Corona Fix” — a 45 quart cooler full of Corona beer and a bottle of hand sanitizer — for $300 and a basket of assorted liquor for $525.

Doran-Martinez said the annual fundraiser is one of the chamber’s most important events, and helps keep the costs of chamber membership low.

“This is a good fundraiser for us,” she said. “About 60 percent of our overhead is covered by membership dues, but we have to generate the other 40 percent of our budget.”

But it was auctioneer Jacob Barth of Chuck Yarbo Auctioneers and Real Estate Services who put it best on Friday as the gavel came down when the last item was sold.

“These are hard-earned dollars being spent tonight, making a difference in the community,” he said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected]