At 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula will hold its 21st annual auction.

Money raised is for general operating expenses for the Sequim and Port Angeles clubs.

Last year’s event raised $195,000, and goal this year is $175,000.

"It’s been a rough economy so we have adjusted our expectations accordingly," said Stacy Ceder, resource development director for the organization.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula budget for 2009 is $1.059 million. This year’s auction goal covers 16.5 percent of the annual expenses.

Ceder said the Sequim club is open about 280 days a year serving children of all ages, including the Teen Club, and the Sequim and Port Angeles clubs together require about $4,000 per day.

Auction details

More than 150 items have been gathered for the silent and live auctions with donations accepted up to Monday, Nov. 9, at the Sequim club. 400 W. Fir St., Sequim.

Jake Sanford of Stokes Auction will lead the live auction and A Catered Affair will provide surf/turf and vegetarian meal options and desserts.

Seating is available for 350 guests.

Mid-auction there will be a separate donation fundraiser for the Snack-Attack program, an FDA-approved meal offered every afternoon the clubs are open.

Volunteer Stephen Rosales will speak on behalf of that program, for which $55,000 was raised in 2008.

A community asset

"The programs we provide are a real asset to our community," Ceder said.

"The cost of child care is astronomical and we provide a safe, educational environment for children of all ages."

Club members, staff and volunteers will speak throughout the event.

Tickets for the auction are $100 per person, $800 for a table of eight and $1,000 for a corporate table.

A $25 donation can be entered into a drawing for $1,000.

To RSVP and/or make a donation, contact Stacy Ceder at 683-8095 or stacyceder@yahoo.com.