CEF auction offers a little something for everyone

Interested in a trip to Waikiki, exclusive holiday shopping in downtown Camas or a 3D television with Blue Ray? If so, then mark Saturday, Oct. 23 on the calendar, because that is the date of the Camas Educational Foundation's 12th annual auction. The event, which benefits the foundation's grant program for local schools, is undergoing a number of changes this year. It will be held locally at Camas Meadows Golf Club, instead of downtown Vancouver. Another plus is that childcare will be offered at the nearby Grass Valley Elementary School by students in the Camas High School Key Club and child development program. Instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, there will be a "cocktail party" format this year, with several hors d'oeuvres, wine and desserts from Truly Scrumptious. The theme for this year's auction is "Giving and Growing Together." Tickets are $35 each. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., with a live auction at 8 p.m. "As a community-based, non-profit organization, we also wanted to bring our business back to Camas," CEF President Ron Gompertz said. "This meant tweaking the format a bit from a formal dinner to a more mingle-friendly snack and hors d'oeuvres approach. By offering inexpensive childcare, we are giving our supporters something they've asked for and making it easier to attend the auction." Last year, the auction raised $60,000 for the foundation's grant program. This year, organizers have set their sights on $100,000. "The grant program draws on the excitement and honest interest of our educators and students within the system to help them go "above and beyond" the tools afforded by the district budget," said Roxanne Giffin, CEF vice-president and auction chairperson. "The exceptional support of Camas families and the community encourages this interest in and passion for learning to flourish." Some of the grants given out last year helped fund programs including Science Olympiad, Making Art with Digital Photography, Artist in Residence and Academic Coaching for Student Success. Some of the offerings in the live auction include a new 3D television with Blue Ray player, a sailing adventure, homecoming package with reserved parking at Doc Harris stadium, stays at vacation homes in Sunriver and Eagle Crest, dinner parties in downtown Camas and holiday shopping. Organizers will also be auctioning off the opportunity to fill one of the four "celebrity chef" spots for the Camas Iron Chef competition, coming in spring 2011. A raffle, which includes a one week stay in Waikiki and a $500 travel voucher, will be held at the event for $10 per ticket. "The auction is a great reminder of why I live in Camas and of the impact each one of us can have," Gompertz said. "I love seeing this massive event happen. It's a huge effort from lots of volunteers, local merchants, donors and community supporters." To purchase tickets, call 335-3000, Ext. 79915, or at www.cefcamas.org.

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