"Celebrate" a fundraiser for Schools

2014-1201-celebrate1

This month, Anacortes Schools Foundation will again present “Celebrate the Season,” a family-oriented series of holiday activities that complement other community holiday events.

“This year we are expanding our event to the first two weeks of December,” remarked Art Shotwell, ASF President. “We will offer additional public days for families to come and enjoy several activities, plus our “Dream It” dinner/auction. In addition, there are dates available that companies and groups can use the space for private parties.” It all takes place at the Port of Anacortes’ Event Center.

“Celebrate” will be open to the community on Dec. 5, 7, 13 and 14. Doors open at noon each of these days. Activities include a photo with Santa on a 100 year old sleigh in front of Santa’s house, “reindeer” games, crafts, hot chocolate and cookies, and a marketplace featuring unique handmade gifts, baked goods and preserves. There is a nominal admission charge of $5/person, $20/family.

The signature event of the celebration is the “Dream It Dinner” on Saturday, December 6 with doors open for registration at 5:30 PM. This will be a memorable evening featuring a catered dinner, a limited but lively auction followed by entertainment by Fidalgo Swing band. Dinner will be catered by Gere-a-deli. Tickets are available for $40 per person at CelebrateTheSeason.brownpapertickets.com.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, Gingerbread will be the focus all day. Student and adult teams will battle it out between noon and 5 PM for bragging rights and prizes. Gingerbread entries will be judged by a panel of community leaders. The community is encouraged to come to watch the fun. In addition, on that day younger children will be able to decorate a mini-house of their own to take home.

“We hope that ‘Celebrate the Season’ will become a family tradition for our community and allow us to broaden our fundraising efforts,” said Shotwell. “This year we are thrilled that Dakota Creek has committed to be our major sponsor.”

In addition to Dakota Creek, other local sponsors of the two week celebration include the Port of Anacortes, Trident Seafoods, Chandler Square, Walgreens, Quantum Construction, Sierra Pacific and Bank of the Pacific.

Anacortes Schools Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization with 501(c)(3) status. ASF was established in 1984 and benefits students at all levels with college and vocational scholarships, early learning support and more recently, STEM enrichment opportunities. All proceeds from the “Celebrate the Season” event will support STEM enrichment initiatives of Anacortes School District.