You have done it again. Opened your hearts and wallets, raised your paddles, and purchased auction items you didn’t really need, to make this a better community. More than thirty-six thousand thank-you’s from your Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians.
Over the years, thirteen to be precise, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club’s Swing for Rotary golf tournament has been an all-day, into-the-evening affair, with a long day of golf followed by dinner and an auction. It has all been quite splendid. But it is a long day. In planning this year’s primary club fundraiser, co-chairs Breane Martinez and Jackie Wood de-coupled the events. They set the auction up as a separate event, during a down time of year for most people. Except for Valentine’s day and rain, most calendars can use a little touchup this time of year. And that is exactly what the Rotary Winter Auction accomplished. (Note to golfers: the tournament will be held for the fourteenth year, at White Horse, Friday, June 19).
The Winter Auction was well-attended. A full house. Attendees enjoyed an elegant makeover of the banquet rooms at Village Green. The Kingston Ale House catered and masterminded the creation of special event cocktails (thank you to Heritage Distilling and Western Red Brewing for their donations). Attendees cited The Kingston Ale House for the “amazing catering and service.” The atmosphere was enhanced by music, provided by the Kingston High School Jazz trio. The Winter Auction had it all. Silent auction. Live auction. Delicious dinner and beverages. Heads or Tails. Dessert dash. And Raise the Paddle. One special item on the program was the announcement of this year’s Rotary Club Business of the Year Award, which went to d’Vine Wines. The best auctioneer this side of everywhere, Clint Boxman, coaxed, cajoled, pleaded, and begged more than $36k in net proceeds from attendees. Proceeds that will be invested in Rotary projects and purposes in the Kingston North Kitsap community. Such projects, for example, over the years have included spearheading lighting on the KHS football field, installation of the town’s electronic reader board, and a $100k donation toward the establishment of Village Green Community Center. Each year the Club awards KHS college scholarships, and this year, a new vocational scholarship will be awarded. It also supports Food4Kids, Homes of Compassion, and Community Meals. In short, all the money raised goes right back into the community.
Events such as the Winter Auction would not be possible without the generous support of businesses in the community. The presenting sponsor was Latitude 48/Ameriprise. The Kingston Ale House was the Reception and Wine sponsor. Other sponsors included The Point Casino and Hotel, Haselwood Auto Group, and Poulsbo CPA. As they have done in past auctions, Lambro Construction donated the winners choice of a new deck (300 sq ft) or a new roof (2000 sq ft), valued at $8500, to the live auction action.
The evening was fun-filled and meaningful. In the words of Bill Maule, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary President, 2019-2020, “Thank you for making this evening a success for our community!
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