There will be something for both kids and adults at the 21st annual auction sponsored by PALS at Veneta Elementary School on Saturday April 20th. An acronym for Parents Action League for Students, PALS, which is similar to the PTA, raises money year around to benefit students and teachers. The auction is the biggest fundraiser and sets the pace for the upcoming year. In this case, it will be school year 2024-2025.
This year’s auction is operating with the theme Under the Sea and features both a silent and a live auction. The gymnasium doors open at 4:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend. All students participate in preparing by selling tickets for a raffle that will feature six different prizes. Winners can receive a Blackstone Griddle, Air Fryer Toaster, 3-Piece Luggage Set, 48,000 BTU Patio Heater, Mini Karaoke Player, and an Xbox Series S Bundle. The students receive incentives for tickets sold and have been vying to sell $500 worth in order to board a party bus and go to Defy Air Sports in Eugene for some rip-roaring fun. Kids will also be able to participate in a raffle in which they can win arts and crafts projects and learning games. Auctioned items will include such things as gift cards to local businesses, Oregon Jamboree passes, Oregon Country Fair passes, a night at Three Rivers Casino, and a stay in Sun River. D.J. Barry Macguire from radio station 99.1 will act as auctioneer. Also featured at the auction will be a dunk tank staffed by teachers, which led to this year’s theme, and because no festivity is complete with out food, Morelos Taco truck and Kona Shaved Ice along with other food trucks will be on hand with tasty things to eat. According to PALS President Jani Patrick, last year’s auction netted $30,000 that allowed them to focus on putting in picnic tables, gifting each classroom $300 for STEM kits, rebarking the track last summer, purchasing new soccer balls and goals, basketball hoops, seesaws, and new jump ropes. Money also went into field trip accounts. Currently, this year’s auction is still in the collecting phase, Patrick says, and she finds it phenomenal that the community is willing to give so much. Described by Patrick as “a great group of moms,” PALS works hard to provide for the schools needs and even hosts a pumpkin patch in October in the school’s backfield because not every kid is able to get a pumpkin and what is Halloween without a Jack O’Lantern? Now, they are working hard to make sure the auction is a success yet again so the kids and their teachers can benefit, and the school can be a place where pride is obvious, students have nice equipment to enjoy, and young minds are molded in a way that makes learning fun. Businesses wishing to donate can email [email protected].
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