Bob Tracy’s benefit dinner, auction on Friday

A benefit dinner and auction to help support Bob and Sandy Tracy is slated for Friday, June 21, at The Eagles Lodge No. 2739 in Ritzville. The event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., features a barbecue meal, a live and silent auction, and live music by hometown native Garrett Bartley.

Tickets for the event are available for presale and will also be available at the door for $15 per person. The club is open to the public for the event and everyone is welcome to attend. Donations of pies for the live auction are still being accepted until the night of the event.

Bob and Sandy are currently residing in Seattle following Bob’s bone marrow transplant on May 24. Bob was diagnosed with leukemia last year and has been awaiting a bone marrow transplant, but faced multiple health issues, delaying the transplant until late last month.

A fundraiser auction last October raised over $8,700 for the couple, but the insurance and housing fees the Tracys have incurred in Seattle are quickly depleting the generous donations. Insurance costs alone are nearly $800 a month, and the couple is also paying to reside in Pete Gross House, near the hospital.

The benefit event is kicked off with Mike Telecky cooking up a meal of barbecue beef and pork, baked beans, baked potato, various salads and pies are available for dessert. The meal will be served from 5:30-7 p.m. and followed by the live and silent auction.

Items being highlighted for the live auction fundraiser include an overnight stay at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa, a barbecue for up to 12 people, a guided walleye fishing trip for two people, a boat cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene for four to six couples and two tickets to see Ron White at the Northern Quest Casino. A money tree is also going to be set up during the event.

Immediately following the live auction, Garrett Bartley will begin his evening performance, around 8 p.m. Bartley is best known for his fusion of country and rock music that keeps the audience upbeat and entertained throughout his performances.

Advance tickets can be purchased from Sharon Oestreich, Dawnell Hutsell, Peggy Crossler or at The Eagles. The Eagles is located at 105 North Washington Street in Ritzville and can be reached by phone at 659-1151.