LAPUSH — A charity auction tonight will rake in the funds for gifts for needy children on the West End with the help of a “Twilight” saga movie star.
Cherish Our Children will include a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, silent and live auctions with one silent auction table set up especially for children, photos with Santa and a crafts sale.
The event will be at 5 p.m. today at the A-ka-lat Tribal Center in LaPush.
“We have a little bit of everything — handmade items, native art, gift certificates, stays at resorts, a river trip, really everything,” said Sandy Heinrich, one of the organizers.
Proceeds go toward the Quileute Housing Authority and the Forks Santa’s Workshop program, which will use the money to buy gifts for children in Forks and LaPush.
Santa’s Workshop program distributes gifts through the Forks Food Bank.
‘Eclipse’ star
Julia Jones — who plays the female werewolf Leah Clearwater in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” — will sign autographs for a fee from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the event.
An autographed picture is $40. An autographed copy of the movie — which will be released that night — will be $75.
A variety of other items are available for purchase as well.
No entry fee is required for the auction.
‘Eclipse’ screening
Immediately following the auction, a screening of “Eclipse” will be held, said tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs.
The live auction will likely end sometime before 9 p.m., Jacobs said.
“We are just delighted that Santa Claus was able to do this for the children,” Jacobs said.
The auction itself will feature items for every demographic, Heinrich said.
That includes a special table with items for children — that only children can bid on, she said.
“People can come browse and socialize or bid on items — or they can come just enjoy the atmosphere,” Heinrich said.
“This is a great way to kick off the holiday season.”
The 50/50 Prize Drawing will return as a fundraiser at the event this year as well, Heinrich said.
When donations are made, people receive tickets. Then, at the end of the night, the winning ticket gets half, and the rest goes to the fundraiser.
“Last year, we made about $300 just on that,” Heinrich said.
The event last year raised about $11,000, and organizers hope to raise at least $1,000 more this year, she said.
