Community Health Center's annual fundraiser a success
Sarah Kirschenmann was auctioneer for the ninth annual Northwest Community Health Center fundraiser. [Elka Wood, TWN]
Northwest Community Health Center’s ninth annual fundraiser dinner with hostesses Maria Clemons, left, and Kara Matthews.
Auction ringman Lonnie Fosgate. [Elka Wood, TWN]
Emily and Alicia Weston were all smiles for the ninth annual Northwest Community Health Center fundraiser dinner. (Elka Wood/TWN)
Andy Scott of Idaho Forest Group shakes hands with dealer Paul Resch after winning the $3,000 travel voucher during the ninth annual Northwest Community Health Center fundraiser dinner Saturday evening at the Memorial Event Center. (Elka Wood photos/TWN)
It’s a glittering night in Libby for a good cause — the Northwest Community Health Center’s [CHC] annual gala was held in the Memorial Events Center on Saturday night.
The night kicked off with king crab and prime rib and continued with fun raffles and a lively auction called by Sarah Kirschenmann, a first-time auctioneer who works with CHC in their Medicaid improvement program. Kirschenmann was backed up on the floor by spotter Lonnie Fosgate, resplendent in a red cowboy shirt and white hat.
The event was overseen by executive director Maria Clemons and Administrative assistant Kara Matthews, who took the microphone to tell the stories of some of the people the fundraiser has helped.
“People sometimes think it’s a fundraiser for our organization,” said Matthews “but actually it does not financially benefit our organization at all, every penny goes to our clients. The way it works is our staff see a need and recommend that someone apply for funds. Funds are used for things like travel for medical procedures, housing, heat, food and anything that affects someone’s quality of life and health.”
The event was attended by almost 200 people and grossed approximately $35,000. The night ended with a laughter-filled poker game between five lucky raffle ticket holders who played for a $3,000 travel voucher.