FORKS — The 15th annual Forks Festival of Trees made about $12,000, one of the organizers said Sunday.
Auction of trees
The auction of 19 trees brought in $9,850, while the auction of 14 wreathes brought in $1,700, said Soroptimist President Cathy Johnson.
A silent auction of items donated by Soroptimist members and community along with a bake sale topped off the $12,000, she said.
“We had some really fantastic auctioneers,” Johnson said.
“I know they really made a huge difference.
“I think they even got a husband and wife bidding against each other at one point.”
This year, the auctioneers were Forks community members Pat Soderlind, Rod Fleck and Bill Sperry.
The Peninsula Daily News tree, “Silent Night with a Touch of Twilight,” went for the most cash, grossing a total of $1,300, Johnson said.
Northwest theme
The fundraising event is sponsored by Soroptimist International of the Olympic Peninsula Rainforest with the theme “Christmas in the Northwest.”
The proceeds from the event go toward scholarships to assist West End woman and children, among many other local and international projects, Johnson said.
About 200 people passed through the auction to check out the trees and other holiday goodies, Johnson said.
People’s Choice
The People’s Choice Award was given to a tree called “The Riggin’ Crew,” sponsored by Engeseth Trucking and Dilley & Soloman Logging Co.
“The tree was really incredible,” said Johnson.
“You’d have to see it to believe it.”
The event was held at the Bank of America building in Forks.
“We are so appreciative to be able to have this in downtown because it is such a tradition,” said Johnson.
The Forks High School girls’ basketball team did the deliveries of the trees, she said.
“It was really fantastic of them to do that because it is such a huge undertaking,” Johnson said.
“We have so many people to thank for these sort of things. We could not do this without the community support.”
Last year, the event made about $11,000. Johnson said the 2009 net would end up about the same because a truck to deliver the trees had to be rented since one wasn’t available for free in Forks this year.
__________
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
