The VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Oak Harbor has a great idea for having fun, getting a head start on your holiday shopping and saving money, all at the same time.
The Auxiliary will hold its annual fundraising auction, “We serve, because they have served,” Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on Goldie Road. There will be approximately 200 gift baskets up for bid in a silent auction, which starts at 5:30 p.m. A live auction of other items will follow at 7:30 p.m.
“Come and do your Christmas shopping. There are amazing bargains,” said Joanne McDaniel, VFW Ladies Auxiliary president. “We had some of the best quality items at ridiculously low prices last year.”
The auxiliary begins accepting donations of new and gently used items for the auction in July. Donations can range from small household items and furniture to gift certificates for goods and services from local businesses. Smaller items are used to make up the gift baskets, which usually have some sort of theme.
“We get lots of good bids on the Spam basket,” McDaniel said. “We put one together every year.”
And because the auxiliary relies on donations, items can vary wildly from year to year. Some of the items collected so far this year include certificates for rounds of golf, a girls’ night out at a spa, and certificates from a local dentist and chiropractor.
“This year for the live auction we have two truckloads of top soil,” said McDaniel. “Last year we had an engine. But we always have lots of gift certificates, so it’s really interesting and exciting.”
The auction is open to the public over age 21. To bid, those attending purchase a paddle for $8 each or $15 per couple. Doors open at 5 p.m. Silent auction items are up for bid from 5:30 to 7 p.m., during which time people can dine on hors d’oeuvres and sip soda, beer or wine.
All proceeds from the event are used to fund programs of the Ladies Auxiliary, which include: “Adopt a Unit” care packages for active duty troops; comfort items for veterans’ hospitals; “Project Protect,” which supplies emergency preparedness kits to enlisted troops and their families; “Sunshine Visits” to area nursing homes; and the annual senior citizen Christmas luncheon.
“We just try to meet the needs of veterans and our community,” McDaniel said. “We work with the (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post as often as possible, such as for their Military Assistance Program … and we share the expenses with the Post in paying the prizes for the youth essay contest.”
Even in these tough economic times, McDaniel said the auxiliary has been able to collect a good amount of items for the auction, which is the group’s main fundraiser of the year. The auction raised more than $7,500 last year and members hope to exceed that amount this year.
“We have very faithful supporters, but some have had to cut back,” she said. “But I’m impressed with the way they hang in there and show support. I do believe we’ll do okay.”
“We have several businesses who are faithful every year,” added auxiliary member Achsah Haun.
In addition to raising money, the auction also serves as a membership drive, to encourage people to get involved with the VFW Post or with the Auxiliary.
“They think we’re party animals,” laughed McDaniel. “But we’d really like them to come and join us for the auction and check us out.”
In order to become a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, a woman needs to have a spouse, sibling, parent or grandparent that served in a foreign war. The group meets once a month at the VFW Post and performs service-related duties all year long, like the Great Oak Harbor Giveaway Day, distributing Buddy Poppies on Veterans Day, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and regular support of the Seattle branch of the USO.
Another reason to come to the event is that it’s just plain fun, said auxiliary members.
“The bidding can get heated,” McDaniel said. “But everybody is in good spirits because they know it’s for a good cause.”
“I always bid against myself,” laughed lifetime auxiliary member Carol Scott. “I lose track.”
“I can’t get over what people are able to buy things for. It’s really reasonable,” said McDaniel. “And it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys.”
Still time to donate: Donations made to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary auction by Oct. 20 will be featured in the auction catalog. Anyone interested in donating new or gently used items or services can drop them off at the VFW Post Hall on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. If assistance is needed for larger items, contact the post at 675-4048. Donations are tax deductible.
