EACH Foundation Auction proves successful, raising $18,000

Countless community members packed into the American Legion Hall on Saturday night to participate and support the 24th Annual Wine and Microbrew Tasting and Auction, hosted by the East Adams County Healthcare Foundation.

The theme of Margaritaville allowed attendees to sport their favorite Hawaiian shirt, as beach attire was the recommended style of dress.

After enjoying a meal served by Classic Country Catering, the silent auction tables closed with a returning favorite table.

In addition to the donations made by local businesses and individuals, a group of home cooks baked up a variety of delights for attendees to bid on with a variety of foods being available for purchase.

During the live auction, attendees help raise an estimated $18,100. Dr. Warren Kragt helped the bidding process by serving as auctioneer for the evening.

The highest selling auction item of the night went to Ross Heimbigner for $1,650. He purchased the Oregon Coast Getaway package for up to 14 people, which was donated by Omni Staffing, and Corbin and Leslie Molbert.

A new auction donation garnered a lot of attention and excitement: the Rocky Coulee Brewery Party Bus experience for 14 people.

Mike Lynch purchased the high demand item donated by Dorcey and Stacy Hunt, and Rocky Coulee Brewing Company for $1,450.

The overnight stay donations proved popular when Gary Bostrom purchased the Silver Mountain Resort package for $1,100, donated by Grant and Nancy Miller.

Chris Johnson went home with the seven-night stay in a lake front condo in Hope, Idaho, for $925, donated by Pend Oreille Shores Resort.

In the individual auction items, the highest selling item continued to be the one semi-truck load of gravel, donated by the Stahl Hutterian Brethren. John Harder purchased the truckload of gravel for $1,000.

Throughout the evening, those in attendance had the opportunity to participate in two raffles: Split the Pot and Mystery Box.

CNO Brenda Herr and her husband Greg donate the Mystery Box prize each year, and the value always exceeds $600. The box holds a random assortment of food, drinks and gifts.

Every year, the EACH Foundation uses the funds raised at the auction to provide necessary upgrades for the hospital, clinic and the EMTs. The EACH Foundation received priority requests from each entity and does the best to provide them with the necessary equipment.

The most recent donations given by the Foundation include books for EMT classes, equipment upgrades for the Ritzville Fire Department, two coag units to East Adams Rural Healthcare and physical therapy equipment for the current building in downtown Ritzville.

The board has also donated an AED and pack-up battery for the Ritzville EMTs, and an AED and battery for the Ritzville Volunteer Ambulance Association.

The EMTs also received a donation of CPR instruction supplies and materials.

The Foundation also donated to the annual Health, Safety and Wellness Fair, held every year in September in downtown Ritzville. Additional donations this year included funds for personal protection equipment for the Ritzville Fire Department volunteers.

The EACH Foundation also provides two scholarships annually to individuals pursuing a career in the medical field.

The $1,000 Ronald W. Baumann Memorial scholarships are awarded to individuals pursuing an education in the healthcare field at the college level that live within the hospital district, covering the communities of Ritzville, Lind and Washtucna.

This is the sole fundraiser for the EACH Foundation, whose primary goals are to help serve Adams County Health District No. 2 and the residents of eastern Adams County.

The funds raised at this event are spent inside the boundary of the health district.