Attendees have a roaring good time at the Foundation Auction

The 25th Annual East Adams County Healthcare Foundation Auction traveled back in time to revisit the Roaring ‘20s in style. The majority of those in attendance dressed in their best 1920s garb to celebrate a night out on the town and help raise money for the Foundation.

The nights activities kept the event lively and fun, as attendees enjoyed the speakeasy feel in the bar area, and had an opportunity to select from a variety of beverages.

After enjoying a meal served by Hungry Hound BBQ, the silent auction tables closed with a returning favorite table.

During the live auction, attendees help raise an estimated $7,000. The total including the amount raised from the silent auction, raffle ticket sales, admission tickets and other purchases at the event was not available at press time.

Dr. Warren Kragt helped the bidding process by serving as auctioneer for the evening, with assistance from Jerry Snyder.

The highest selling auction item of the night went to Bruce Garner for $600. He purchased a half of a beef, cut and wrapped. The Ardell Feed Lot donated the beef and TLC Meats in Othello donated the packaging.

The enthusiasm continued throughout the evening, with Hospital District CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom buying a one-night stay at the Coeur d’Alene Premier Lake Tower with dining and spa credits, for $500.

CNO Brenda Herr banded together with friends to purchase a Pend Oreille Shores Resort stay for seven nights. The seven-night stay was donated by Richards, Merrill and Peterson, and Herr outbid her competitors with a $500 bid.

The ever-popular donation of one semi-truck load of gravel from the Stahl Hutterian Brethren sold for $400 to Elena McKenzie. The second load of gravel went to Jerry Snyder for $325.

Throughout the evening, those in attendance had the opportunity to participate in three raffles: Wall of Fun, Holiday Treasure Chest and Mystery Suitcase.

The Wall of Fun game resulted in nearly 20 prizes being awarded to those entering the raffle drawing. Prizes ranged from bottles of wine, to gift certificates, to creative centerpieces on the tables.

Karin McFadden proved to be the lucky winner of the night, as the key she purchased for the Holiday Treasure Chest unlocked the prize inside, but her raffle ticket was also drawn for the Mystery Suitcase. The combined value of both prizes totaled over $1,200.

Every year, the EACH Foundation uses the funds raised at the auction to provide necessary upgrades for the hospital, clinic, EMTs and other local healthcare needs or trainings. The EACH Foundation receives priority requests from each entity and does the best to provide them with the necessary equipment.

Past donations from the Foundation include books for EMT classes, equipment upgrades for the Ritzville Fire Department and co-ag units to East Adams Rural Healthcare.

The Foundation also donated to the annual Health, Safety and Wellness Fair, held every year in September in Ritzville.

Other additions in the past have included a new x-ray table for the hospital that provides them with advanced technology to help better serve their patients, and a CPR compression vest for the EMT staff to use.

The EACH Foundation also provides two scholarships annually to individuals pursuing a career in the medical field.

The $1,000 Ronald W. Baumann Memorial scholarships are awarded to individuals pursuing an education in the healthcare field at the college level that live within the hospital district, covering the communities of Ritzville, Lind and Washtucna.

This is the sole fundraiser for the EACH Foundation, whose primary goals are to help serve Adams County Health District No. 2 and the residents of eastern Adams County.