It’s time to don your favorite party attire for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s BIG Auction. The event is taking place October 14 at Little Creek Casino Resort for the second year in a row. This year’s theme is Havana Nights and it’s sure to be a night to remember as the community comes together to raise money for a wonderful organization.
“The BIG Auction provides much needed resources to ensure children here in our community have mentors and lifelong friendships,” says Leslie Shahan, vice president of operations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington.
The BIG Auction is their largest fundraising event of the year, bringing in over $300,000. This money is crucial to the organization’s mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships, says Leslie. “These relationships change their lives for the better, forever, and it is only possible because of our extremely generous community,” she adds.
2017 BIG Auction is BIGger Than Ever
As fall settles in and the rain returns, who doesn’t welcome a tropical vibe? Havana Nights is just the ticket. Find your fedora or pin a flower in your hair and prepare for a night of Cuban cuisine, cocktails and camaraderie. The Big Brothers Big Sisters team encourages guests to have fun with the theme and go all out with Havana-inspired costumes and outfits. “It’s been a highlight every year to see how folks interpret the theme,” says Leslie. “Of course some come in cocktail or black tie and that’s great too. It’s all about having fun!”
A live, three-piece Latin band will welcome guests as they arrive, setting the mood for a festive evening. Complimentary mojitos, courtesy of Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe, will be passed during the cocktail hour and rumor has it you’ll find some top-notch cigars circulating as well (maybe not truly Cuban cigars, but adding to the vibe nonetheless). Browse the silent auction items while rum and rhythm transport you far away from the Little Creek Event Center, at least in your mind.
“All of us here at Little Creek Casino Resort are pleased to be hosting Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Auction- Havana Nights,” says Rickie Ramage, catering manager for Little Creek Casino Resort. “We have the opportunity to work on several different events every year but this event is one I personally look forward to because of the fun, new theme each year. It is just such a fun event and for a truly great cause.”
Little Creek Casino Resort’s enthusiasm for the event comes through in their spot-on service and theme-specific food. This year, they are serving a scrumptious dinner, continuing the Cuban connection, including tropical fruit, mojo pork and traditional sides. Enjoy your meal while the professional auctioneers both entertain and showcase the wide range of donated items up for bid, all to support the mentoring programs for youth in our area.
And, talk about BIG auction items. Thanks to generous community donations, BBBS has many incredible items for both the live and silent auctions. Here are a couple of the BIG highlights you’ll want to keep your eye on:
- A pontoon boat party for 15 people that includes cocktails and a seafood feast.
- A “Glorius” Macklemore weekend that includes an autographed copy of Macklemore’s new Glorius album, four VIP general admission tickets to his concert at Key Arena, one night accommodation for four at the W Seattle, and a gift certificate to the Purple Café and Wine Bar.
- Two nights for up to 14 guests in a luxury 5 bedroom Suncadia home.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG Auction also has plenty of small silent auction items that offer BIG fun as well. There is something for everyone and every budget including facials, wine tastings, tickets to sporting events and local weekend getaways. And, the list is still growing.
“The BIG Auction is my favorite event of the year,” Leslie says. “Every year I get to be part of something BIG with hundreds of other amazing, awesome, fun, generous people. We raise a bunch of money to make sure local children have much needed, life changing mentors. It’s awesome.”
Individual tickets are $150, couples $300 and a table of eight is $1200. To attend the Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG Auction on October 14, register online at the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.
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