FORKS — A little Forks rain didn’t dampen the 49th Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction during the weekend, as the Class of 2013 raised $65,556 to fund scholarships for Forks High School graduates.
A total of 1,086 donated items were auctioned, with members of the graduating class managing the event, which was broadcast on radio and online so bidders didn’t have to get out in the rain.
“The whole thing was wonderful,” said Marcia Bingham, director of the Forks Chamber of Commerce and a member of the scholarship committee.
A 2000 Honda Accord, donated by Wilder Auto, sold for $3,600, purchased by a Forks High School teacher, Bingham said.
Other auction items donated by community members and businesses throughout the North Olympic Peninsula included knit hats, hand-knitted “Star Wars” figures, Twilight-themed gifts, fishing trips, tools, shirts, books on Forks-area history, art pieces, beauty supplies and gift certificates for a wide variety of stores and services.
Bingham said the 51 handcrafted wood and metal items created by the Olympic Correction Center inmates were different this year because the workshops have a new manager.
Items included wooden trucks with moving parts, jewelry boxes, memorabilia boxes and metal wall hangings.
About 65 members of the Class of 2013 will graduate from Forks High School this year, Bingham said.
It is not yet known how many students will apply for scholarship assistance, she said.
April 1 is the deadline for scholarship applications.
The scholarship is open to any graduate of the school — not just current seniors — and graduates can receive the scholarship twice in their lives.
There is no specific scholarship amount — funds are awarded according to need.
In the previous 48 years of the auction, more than $1 million has been raised for Forks alumni to continue their vocational or higher education goals, Bingham said.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
