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On Saturday, September 28, the Lacey South Sound Chamber celebrated their 2019 Dinner and Auction event. The annual event has been a favorite for over a decade and this year’s turnout shows that its popularity continues to grow. “It was a great turnout and the atmosphere was wonderful” said Blaine Land, executive director for the Lacey South Sound Chamber.

Lacey South Sound Chamber’s Dinner and Auction Guests
Guests gathered at the Lacey Community Center, decked out in flannel shirts, boots, and jeans along with some bling to enjoy a delicious dinner provided by locally owned Tailgate BBQ. Photo courtesy: Lacey South Sound Chamber

This year’s theme was Denim and Diamonds. Guests gathered at the Lacey Community Center, decked out in flannel shirts, boots, and jeans along with some bling to enjoy a delicious dinner provided by locally owned Tailgate BBQ. Everybody had a fun time bidding on live, silent, and dessert auction items, as well as participating in fun raffles, says Land.

The fun-filled event was emceed by Jerry Farmer of 94.5 Roxy Radio. “Jerry Farmer is an amazing individual,” said Land, “and once again he shared his voice and talent to help make the dinner and auction a memorable one.” Farmer regularly lends his recognizable voice as an emcee, auctioneer and announcer to an array of events, especially for fundraisers that help charitable causes benefiting the local community.

This end of the year fundraiser was a big one; in addition to raising funds to support Chamber services, it was an opportunity to benefit three worthy non-profits. “We wanted to make sure our end of the season fundraiser supported several important causes,” said Land, “we, as a committee, decided to support and partner with Homeless Backpacks, The American Cancer Society Thurston County Chapter, and the Kidwiler-Dolan Scholarship Foundation.”

Lacey South Sound Chamber Dinner and Auction Donation to Homeless Backpacks
“We had some attendees bring in 12 pack cases of chili, and we were able to donate over a hundred cans for Homeless Backpacks,” says Land Photo courtesy: Lacey South Sound Chamber

Homeless Backpacks supports over 600 children every week throughout Thurston County with a bag full of easy to prepare food to take home for over the weekend. This volunteer operated organization has a big job, and local support of businesses and the Chamber make it possible for them to meet the needs of so many throughout our community. One of the non-profit’s largest weekly expenses is a can of chili, so the Chamber set a goal of one can of chili donated per auction attendee. They far surpassed that goal. “We had some attendees bring in 12 pack cases of chili, and we were able to donate over a hundred cans for Homeless Backpacks,” Land shared.

Another non-profit that the Lacey South Sound Chamber’s Dinner and Auction supported was the American Cancer Society’s Thurston County Chapter. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death throughout the United States, and almost no one has been untouched either by it, themselves, or through the diagnosis of family or friends. “We were honored to support this cause in hopes to make an impact in raising funds for families in Thurston County,” Land shared.

The Chamber’s Dinner and Auction also supported the Kidwiler-Dolan Scholarship Foundation. The scholarship is named in honor of Ray Kidwiler, who was a founding member of the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation provides scholarships to students from North Thurston Public Schools every year.

Lacey South Sound Chamber Dinner and Auction Committee Chair Madelin White i
Madeline White (Left) led the fundraising committee for this year’s event. Photo courtesy: Lacey South Sound Chamber

“Events of these sizes can’t come together without a great committee,” said Land. This year’s committee was led by Madelin White of Merle Norman Cosmetics Wigs, and Day Spa. The committee brought in over a hundred action items which were auctioned off to support the three great non-profits as well as the Chamber.

“We would like to thank our amazing sponsors for the contributions to support our event: TwinStar Credit Union; Funeral Alternatives of Washington; Columbia Bank; Applebee’s; Chicago Title; Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor; Phone Master; 94.5 Roxy Radio; Merle Norman Cosmetics Wigs and Day Spa; Olympia Federal Savings; Epic Event Décor; Woodlawn Funeral Home; Altman Audio; Glitter and Suede Events and Venue; and Melanie Bakala, State Farm Agent.”

The funds raised at the dinner and auction for the Lacey South Sound Chamber will return to the community through business engagement and services provided to Chamber members. The Chamber’s membership includes business professionals and local business owners from all across the South Sound that are engaged and passionate about building sustainable community.

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