After taking a year off from major fundraising, the Vashon Community PTSA will host live and silent auctions on Saturday to raise the funds needed to continue its programs through the next school year.
“We didn’t hold one last year because we were funded enough for a two-year budget,” said PTSA President Jackie Merrill. “And with all of the other fundraising that goes on on the island, we thought people were a bit auctioned out. But now we need to fundraise for next year.”
Vashon’s PTSA is unique in that it supports all three of the island’s public schools — most PTSAs are school specific.
“People probably don’t realize the scope of the programming the PTSA supports,” Merrill said. “With the number of organizations that raise money for the schools, it’s understandable. But while we’re all under one big umbrella, we focus on different things.”
Programs the PTSA supports include science nights at Chautauqua Elementary School, Camp Waskowitz scholarship funds, Orca Readers, Family and StudentLink, debate club, VHS tech club, teen forums and events at VHS and McMurray, family movie nights, Exploratory Week scholarship funds and more.
Each year the organization chooses something specific to raise funds for, over and above its annual budget of about $20,000.
“Last year we were able to give $40,000 for the new math curriculum,” Merrill said.
The PTSA’s earmarked funds for next year, should it raise enough, will go to support the artists in schools program in conjunction with Vashon Allied Arts.
Saturday’s hoedown-themed event will take place at the Jesus Barn Farm and feature live music from the island band Riverbend, as well as catering by Pink Tractor Farm. McMurray Middle School humanities teacher Larry Dubois will act as auctioneer for the live auction, which will include a Mariners day, Vashon Golf & Swim Club family pass, sailboat dinner cruise for four and a full day of dirt work by Roggenbuck Construction up for bids. Some items available through the silent auction include a Macrina Bakery gift card and cookbook, four tickets to the Museum of Flight, a tattoo session at Sea Change Tattoo, Seattle Art Museum tickets and a one-month membership to the Vashon Athletic Club. Tickets cost $45 each, and while early-bird sales were slow, Merrill said she remains optimistic about the event.
“It’s Vashon,” she said. “I am hopeful we’ll have a good crowd show up on the day.”
Tickets are available online only at vashonptsa.com or brownpapertickets.com.
— Sarah Low
