Symposium Raffle/Auction a Huge Success

by Mary Germeau, Executive VP

Our sixth annual fundraiser for the PNSIA Education Foundation Scholarship Fund was held at the April Symposium banquet at the Seventh Mountain Resort in Bend Oregon. Anticipation was high as the attendees entered the banquet room and had a chance to look at the more than 50 items available in the raffle. This eye-catching display was the work of Judy Thompson and Melody Younglove. I appreciated their help and artful technique. All of the items donated this year came from PSIA members, ski school directors, members of the NW Board of the Directors (B.O.D.), Technical Team members and DCL’s. A list of the contributors is located at the end of this article.

The total proceeds from the fundraiser also included the monies from the nine auction items put up for bid at the banquet. Each item was offered by a different auctioneer. These brave volunteers did their best to add to the total earnings for the fund. Included in the auction were:

A Titanium Golf Driver from Takashi Tsukamaki, B.O.D. - auctioneer Rob Croston, B.O.D.

A day of motorcycle riding and lunch in George, Washington with Calvin Yamamoto, DCL - auctioneer Larry Murdoch

An Estate Plan Package from Ed Younglove, B.O.D. - auctioneer Sean Bold, DCL

A Handwoven and Handmade wool and silk women’s jacket from Jim Field, B.O.D.- auctioneer Mary Germeau. B.O.D.

A choice of three bike trips with Glen and Linda Cowan, Technical Team - auctioneer Larry Murdoch

A framed, signed Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks Jersey from Raelissa Smith, Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard School and Mary Germeau - Auctioneer, Nick McDonald, assistance from Jeremy Riss, Technical Team

A weekend at a private cabin in Cle Elum from Kari Schoessler, Fiorini Ski School - auctioneer, Karen Moldstad. B.O.D.

An all day ski for 1 to 5 people with film and a DVD from Tyler Barnes, Technical Team - auctioneer, Nick McDonald, Technical Team

A fabulous wine tasting and Crystal Mountain items basket from Bob Allen, Crystal Mt. Snow Sports Center - auctioneer Rick Lyons, Technical Team.

The auction is always an entertaining and exciting event. With a different auctioneer for every item, one never knows what methods this person will use to try to get as much "green" as possible for the audience. It is generally conceded, that Nick McDonald is still the most creative of the auctioneers ( you have to be there to believe it), but Rick Lyons pulled out the most money for a single item, the Crystal Mt. Basket for $800.00. We appreciate every donation and volunteer auctioneer who brought money to the organization through this activity.

I was pleased that the members who attended Symposium this year were so willing to purchase their raffle tickets when the opportunity was presented to them. I imagine that after six years, it has become a tradition to purchase, at least, ten chances to win a raffle prize. There are so many great items donated that the odds are in the purchaser’s favor. I also must give a huge thank-you to B.O.D. member Takashi Tsukamaki and DCL Kim Petram for helping me to sell raffle tickets each evening.

Since this raffle/auction seems to have become a tradition, look for my e-mails in February and pleas in the NW Snowsport Instructor next winter and you too will have an opportunity to donate a raffle or auction item to next year’s event. Remember that these funds are available for scholarships for events, exams and books from the bookstore. If you are a member in good standing, just look for applications and information on the website. Click on Membership Benefits, then Scholarships at www.psia-nw.org

 

 

Special Thanks

to the 2008 Symposium Raffle item contributors

 

Chris Kastner, Director of Skiing, Mt. Hood Meadows - 3 hour private ski lesson

Jack Burns, B.O.D. - Starbucks coffee maker

Steve Henrikson, B.O.D. - All-day raft trip

Nancy Kitano, Rokka Ski School - 2 nights at Crystal Rokka Lodge, Sushi Gift basket

Andy Laird, Willamette Pass - Super Light Bulb Pack

Betsy Baker, DCL - 3 gift bags from Olympic Physical Therapy

Chris and Judy Thompson, Tech Team - Schweitzer wine tote

Takashi Tsukamaki, B.O.D.- Ping golf bag and 2 ping blankets, a $90 Puetz gift certificate and a round of golf at Auburn Golf Course

Kim Petram, DCL - Gift Basket

Mark Schinman, B.O.D. - $50 Best Buy gift card

John Quickstad, ULLR Ski School - Intro to Golf lessons

Rick Lyons, Tech Team - 3 pr. Native sunglasses

Rob Croston, B.O.D. - 2 Boot Dryers

Wayne Nagai, B.O.D. - Fischer ski bag and deerskin gloves

Georgianne Fiorini, Fiorini Ski School - Season Lesson package-2009

Ed Kane, B.O.D. - 4 goggles, 2 pairs of gloves

Mike Foley, Crystal Mt. Snow Sports Center - Fischer deerskin gloves

Gavin Kerr-Hunter, Snowperformance Snowsports School - Hat and hoodie

John Gifford, Stevens Pass GM - 3 Stevens Pass sweatshirts

Sharon and Ronne Linnane, Ski Klasses Ski School - Wine basket

Karen Moldstad, B.O.D. - 2 car blankets

Kay Stoneberg, B.O.D. - 2 gift baskets from Anthony Lakes

Molly Fitch, B.O.D. - Organizer’s dream basket

Sally Brawley, B.O.D. - 1 pr. Native Sunglasses and cap

Valerie Otter, Olympic Ski School - Condiment basket

Chris Saario, Ski Masters Ski School - 2 hand knit scarves

John Eisenhauer, B.O.D.- Child’s knit sweater and hat

Nick McDonald, Tech Team - 4 gift packs of smoked salmon

Pam Humble, Olympic Ski School - Hand knit scarf

John Winterscheid, B.O.D. - Wind chime

Susan LaMadrid, Crystal Mt. Snow Sports Center - 2 packs of hand painted cards