The Rocksolid Community Teen Center in Brush Prairie will host its 21st annual Lucky Shamrock Auction on Saturday, March 12.
The event will be held in-person for the first time in two years after previous auctions were held in a virtual format because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The money raised at the event will fund programs which serve local kids in fifth to 12th grades, according to Marcy Sprecher, the director of the Rocksolid Community Teen Center.
“We have life skills programs, a homework help program, drug prevention and awareness, community service projects and a healthy eating program,” said Sprecher.
She said the auction is their largest fundraiser of the year.
Sprecher said the life skills program teaches kids things they may not learn in school, like daily living and social skills, health and nutrition, and job skills as well as budgeting and financial skills. The center also partners with nonprofits like the Police Activities League, which helps “build healthy relationships between cops and kids” by showcasing the “human side” of police officers.
Sprecher is excited to hold the auction in-person again and to serve the youth in the community.
“The auction was created in 2001 before we opened our doors and we needed financial backing,” she said. “We’re celebrating our 20th year of making an impact in our community.”
Sprecher believes Rocksolid’s impact on the community has been large as the center provides kids with productive programs. It also helps youth develop relationships with caring adults and friends, which she said can be impactful.
Last year, Rocksolid was able to raise about $150,000 from the auction. Many of the items sold at the auction consist of trips and sports memorabilia. Those who don’t want to bid on an item can simply donate through the center’s “helping hand” option.
Sprecher said the teen center served the youth online for 18 months during the pandemic, but returned to an in-person format in September. They have not had any COVID-19 outbreaks, she said.
Besides the Lucky Shamrock Auction, the teen center also holds fundraisers like Friday Night Flicks during the summer months at the Port of Ridgefield. They also participate in Give More 24, which is a 24 hour fundraiser for nonprofits in Clark County hosted by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington.
Some sponsors for the upcoming auction include Riverview Community Bank, S&T Truck Repair and Pacific Bells.
The live auction will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on March 12 at ilani, located at 1 Cowlitz Way in Ridgefield. There will also be an online silent auction from March 9 to 13. Tickets for the live auction can be purchased online at rocksolid-teen.com. The online auction can be found on the same website, but does not require registration. For more information, call 360-885-2181.
