The spring fundraiser season kicked off Satruday, April 20, at Sunshine Industries with the organization’s annual Spaghetti Feed.
“It was our best year ever,” said Brittany Donnell, executive director.
We had some pretty record-breaking numbers.”
One big change this year was table sponsors – 14 local firms and individuals who reserved entire tables, which helped fill the room.
“Only 45 seats weren’t sponsored or pre-paid, and those were all full,” Donnell said. “There were a lot of new faces. It was nice to see a broader representation of the community.”
The event grossed $25,918, and netted more than the $22,000 the dinner and auction grossed in 2018.
“We were kind of worried because it was Easter weekend, but the room really filled up,” Donnell said.
Proceeds will go to driveway improvements as Sunshine gets ready to install automatic handicap-accessible doors, she said.
“We made enough money, we could hopefully start installing some doors,” Donnell said.
Also, Sunshine was able to donate $500 to the Special Olympics, she said.
The live auction included a handmade American flag created from wine barrels by Todd Branson, a time share in Sunriver, another in the Embarcadero, a family fun basket, a package of Jamboree tickets, a beer basket and eight hours of custom welding donated by Moose Creek.
The latter produced a run of bidding for auctioneer and Sunshine Board President Chuck Thompson.
“That was one of the most exciting moments,” Donnell said. “It just went on and on and on. It finally exceeded the value of what the donation actually was.
“It was pretty fun.”