The Yelm Dollars for Scholars (YDFS) 30th annual Auction and Dinner is right around the corner.
An online silent auction will run from Feb. 28 to Mar. 7, and a dinner and live auction will be held on March 8.
YDFS is a community-sponsored nonprofit organization that started in 1991 and provides educational scholarships to senior students pursuing higher education.
Auction proceeds directly support Yelm High School graduates with scholarships for students pursuing further education and training.
“The program has raised and distributed $3 (million) in scholarships over the last 29 years, and we are grateful to have your support as we continue our mission to help break down financial barriers to education,” the event website stated.
The auctions are not bidding fee auctions, as YDFS conducts a charity auction and adheres to all state and federal regulations.
According to the organization, this year’s goal is to raise $175,000 for the Class of 2025.
The community may join by attending the online or live auction, donating cash or items, sponsoring or participating in the Taste of the Prairie dinner.
The online silent auction bidding will open on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. and close on March 7 at 8 p.m.
Interested participants are encouraged to create an account early in order to receive notifications via the link in the website's header.
The live auction and dinner will be held on March 8, starting at 5 p.m., at Lake Lawrence Lodge.
The event fee includes dinner, two drink tickets and a chance to bond with the community. An early bird table of eight costs $400, and early bird admission for one would cost $55.
An additional bottle of wine is sold at $30, an additional wine ticket is $7 and an additional beer ticket is $5.
Attendees may also purchase additional drink tickets online or at the event.
The community may also participate by donating cash or items. YDFS allows cash donations via credit or debit card online.
Item donations are accepted through a drop-off point at the Yelm Prairie Christian Center at 501 NE 103 Ave. NE Yelm.
YDFS notes that if an individual cannot drop off an item, they can make a note and the organization will arrange to pick it up.
Items are accepted until Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
People who cannot attend the live auction or contribute to the online auction may become sponsors. There are six sponsorship tiers for the event.
The first tier is a Supporting Sponsor, which costs $500. It includes name recognition from the stage, name recognition at the event, a logo on the auction website, a name in the auction program and recognition in social media posts.
An Advocate Sponsor with a $1,000 price tag includes all of the supporting sponsor perks, with additional perks of a logo in the auction program, and two tickets to the annual dinner and auction.
A $1,500 Champion Sponsor is similar to the advocate sponsor, but comes with four tickets to the annual dinner and auction instead of two.
Sustaining Sponsors pay $2,500 and can enjoy the perks of the previous tier with an additional privilege of a half-page ad in the auction catalog and six tickets to the annual dinner and auction.
A Premiere Sponsor pays $5,000 to enjoy the sustaining sponsor privilege, with the addition of a signature cocktail served to the table, a full-page ad in the auction catalog, and eight tickets to the annual dinner and auction.
The priciest option, Presenting Sponsor, requires $10,000, has all the previous tier’s benefits and an additional recognition on a banner near the stage, a VIP bag, and eight tickets to the annual dinner and auction.
Another way to help YDFS raise its $175,000 goal for upcoming scholars is to participate in the Taste of the Prairie dining event.
This event involves visiting local dining businesses on specific schedules, where part of the sales on that day are donated to YDFS.
The next schedule is on Friday, Feb. 7, at El Ray Burro, followed on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Steele Barrel BBQ.
Dining at Puerta Vallarta on the last Wednesday of the month, Feb. 26, will also contribute to the fundraising efforts.
On March 25, the community may visit Masonry Café to dine and help raise funds for scholars.
For any inquiries, the public may email yelmdollarsforscholars@gmail.com or visit yelm.dollarsforscholars.org.
Visit the YDFS website for more information.
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