Pheasants Forever auction proceeds benefit youth activities

Local business owners, residents and families gathered at the American Legion Memorial Hall to support and participate in the 17th Annual Pheasants Forever Banquet and Auction.

The live and silent auction items alone netted nearly $11,153 for the organization.

All of the money raised during the event goes back to the community and is used for habitat, conservation, food and water projects, as well as Youth Hunter education programs within Adams County.

This year, the organization announced they are putting a special emphasis on programs for the youth members.

The evening began with a social hour and the start of the live auction, as well as an introduction of organization members and students who have found success on the range this year.

Following a meal provided by local chefs and Classy Country Catering, the live auction began under the direction of Emcee Alan Thompson and Auctioneer Dr. Warren Kragt.

The auction began successfully, quickly selling multiple items for over $200 apiece before the fifth item of the night raised the bar and helped set the standard for the evening. Brady Moore purchased an LIS O/U three-inch youth 20-gauge for $375.

The highest selling auction items of the night were a set of four truck tires, donated by Adams Automotive. Brian Kramer won the bidding on the item, spending $985 on the tires.

Towards the end of the auction, Dolly Blankenship purchased a Washington State University (WSU) table and bar stools, with four tickets to the Apple Cup for $725. She graciously turned the four tickets, which were then purchased for $225.

The live auction garnered $9,140 for the organization, with a portion of the total being raised through the auctioning of barbecued beef and a wine raffle.

Throughout the night, all of the youth in the audience had an opportunity to bid on certain items allowed only for Ringnecks. The Ringneck auction items are for those 18 years old and younger.

In the silent auction, Ringnecks also had items to bid on and the live auction provided some friendly bidding competition between friends and relatives.

The highest Ringneck live auction item went for $160 for the Seahawk Package donated by Columbia Bank.

During the live auction, the winners of the large item raffles were announced. The two raffle items of the night included a Savage 111 Long Range Hunter, 338 Lappua for adults, and a hand engraved .22 Cal Henry Arms Lever Action rifle for Ringnecks.

The Ritzville Chapter No. 634 of the Adams County Pheasants Forever organization will now focus on implementing programs for local youth to participate in.

The most popular of the programs the chapter offers is the hunter education programs to teach firearm and hunter safety, which began this week.