Hospital foundation prepares for 20th dinner-auction benefit

Plans for the 20th annual benefit dinner auction of Whitman Community Hospital Foundation were advanced last Wednesday in a meeting of the foundation board. The benefit will be Jan. 30 at Hill Ray.

Tickets will go on sale on the first week of January, according to Carol Stueckle, coordinator of the event.

The benefit will again plan to offer 20 live auction items and 20 silent bid items. Butch Booker again will be auctioneer assisted by Mark Vogler and Al Kirkparick. Jeff Geier will be emcee.

Some of the specialty items on the auction bill for live bid will be an all-day treasure hunt led by Eddy Maillot, hospital physical therapist.

Gold coins provided by Don Steiger of Menlo Park will also be up for bid.

Foundation board president Linda Marler is preparing a “Whitman Sampler” which features items with Whitman included in the name. Some of the items will be from firms which have long since departed the commercial scene.

Also offered will be the traditional purses which are stuffed with a mystery amounts of cash.

Kathryn Vogler of Dusty and her daughter, Anna Assareh of Renton will model costume jewelry which will also be up for bid.

The auction bill will also offer an array of trips and dining experiences. Among stops will be a trip to McCall, Idaho.

Among items on the auction bill for silent bid will be a Christening dress made by Kristie Geier and 20 reserved seats at the Colfax graduation.