by MATTHEW NASH
Sequim Gazette

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula’s auction brought in $150,000 for the clubs in Sequim and Port Angeles — $25,000 short of its goal — on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Bob Schilling, executive director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, said donations and RSVP monies still are being received but the shortfall still will require cutbacks at the clubs.

“We are going to have to look at reducing $25,000 worth of programs and services,” he said. 

“Not to the point of reducing staff, but this is definitely going to have some impact that’s going to have to be adjusted by Jan. 1, 2010.”

Current funds will last the clubs through January.

Schilling said 2010 will bring new money, including funds from United Way donations, Clallam County Housing Authority and a final 2009 check for the Sequim Teen Club from the city of Sequim.

Club membership fees are renewed in January and will bring in additional money.

However, “I’m not going to paint a rosy picture,” Schilling said.

“We’re stifled by this low income and it’s only going to allow us to maintain.”

Filling the gap
Schilling said he and the clubs’ resource development committee are discussing a first-quarter event to help fill revenues.

Their three major fundraisers — the auction, golf tournament and Campaign for Kids ­— are spread through the last three quarters of the year but produce nothing in the first quarter.

Club officials also want to connect with new and old donors to the Campaign for Kids.

They can call the club at 683-8095 or visit the office at 400 W. Fir St., in Sequim.

Bidding for the future
More than 280 attendees bid on hundreds of silent and live auction items at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club on Saturday.

They gave $45,000 toward the Snack Attack program that feeds children a USDA-approved snack each operating day.

Annually, Snack Attack costs about $75,000 for the two clubs, with $55,000-65,000 raised from the auction in recent years.

Sequim Boys & Girls Club volunteer Stephen Rosales saw his 2005 red Corvette go for $29,000 in the live auction.

He was hoping for at least $30,000 to fund a new annual scholarship helping a boy and girl in the club with $1,000 each for college.

After the auction ended, a man who wished to remain anonymous approached Rosales and promised $1,000, plus annual donations to the scholarship fund.

In May, the scholarships will be awarded through the Sequim Education Foundation with the scholarship committee of Mary Budke, Cathy Schock, Kristal Van Selus and Kim Rosales.

Recipients will be members of the club and/or volunteers at Sequim’s Carroll C. Kendall Unit.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.