Whitman Hospital Foundation hosts 34th annual dinner and auction next Saturday

COLFAX — The Whitman Hospital Foundation is hosting its 34th annual dinner and auction on Saturday, Jan. 20, with a social hour, dinner, and silent and live auctions.

Event Coordinator Desiree Chappell said this year’s theme is “Lights Camera Auction,” and it will be a red carpet event at the Hill-Ray Plaza, 801 South Vista Point Drive, in Colfax. “The stars will be our sponsors and community members of Whitman County,” she said.

Chappell said the event will start at 4 p.m. with a social hour featuring champagne, which will run until 6 p.m., when dinner will be served.

The silent auction will be ongoing. “Last year, we had 70 silent auction items,” Chappell said, noting that they hadn’t nailed down everything in the silent auction this year. “I want people to be surprised when they get there,” she said.

Chappell said there would be games to play, including heads or tails, a chance to win approximately $2000 in a game of 52-card drive, and a diamond raffle from Sam Dial Jewelers of Pullman.

“The hospital foundation is a document fund,” Chappell said, noting that the savings account provides revenue. Once they reach $10 million, they can give a large fund to the hospital to use yearly for whatever may be needed. “We are looking for better technology for the hospital,” Chappell said, noting that everything in the medical field is changing, and they will need new technology for doctors coming in.

“It is up to the hospital on how they want to use the funds,” Chappell said, adding that the money always goes towards enriching the hospital in general.

“We have received donations from the towns in which the hospital has their clinics, the outlying clinics, and pretty much Whitman County has completely supported and been gracious with their donations because our community understands how important our community hospital is to us,” said the Secretary of the Foundation, Anne McRae.

Chappell said they are trying to increase the number of seats provided this year, and as of Thursday, Jan. 4, they had 60 seats left to fill.

Tickets are $100 per seat, with dinner included. Those who wish to RSVP for the event can go online to https://auctria.events2024Foundation.

Chappell added that the foundation has rebranded this last year, and they hope to get out in the community to share the message of what they are doing and their goals.

Chappell added that in last year’s auction, they were able to raise over $141,000 for the foundation.