The Bellingham affiliate of the American Society of Women Accountants raised $4,500 for its scholarship fund and its first annual dessert auction on Nov. 15 at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
The North Cascades chapter auctioned about 50 silent items, followed by the live auction.
Eight cakes auctioned from Whatcom and Skagit county bakers included a calculator spice cake, gluten-free chocolate torte and a four-layer lemon cake.
The group offers scholarships to accredited tech school, university and community colleges located in Whatcom and Skagit counties for the pursuit of accounting or finance education leading to certification or degree. To apply, visit its website at aswa115.org or follow the scholarship chair @aswa_andrea for upcoming details and deadlines.
SPECIAL 12 TH BIRTHDAY FOR STEEVES TWINS
Twins Luke Ryan and Kyler Wayne Steeves celebrated their 12th birthdays today, Monday, Dec. 12. They were born to Chellie and Jerry Anderson of Bellingham at 12:12 a.m. at the University of Washington hospital in Seattle.
Chellie says the boys got to skip school today to celebrate with their extended family at their traditional meal at Kyotos Japanese Restaurant. They'll be the ones wearing T-shirts with "12" on the front and "12:12" and "12/12" on the back.
The boys are in the sixth grade at Harmony Elementary School in the Mount Baker School District.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS BLUE SKIES FOR CHILDREN
Blue Skies for Children, a local nonprofit that serves homeless, low-income and foster children, has received support from several community groups and donors.
The group raised $51,000 at its 11th annual dinner and charity auction at Best Western Lakeway Inn in October. Major sponsors included Moss Adams, KVOS TV, Alaska Airlines, Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, Safeco, Otion, Banner Bank, The Bellingham Herald and The Bank of the Pacific.
Julie Guay, executive director, thanked the more than 200 businesses that donated auction items.
"This event is key to our ability to provide services in the coming year. It has been a challenging year financially," she said. "This year we reduced already low staff hours, moved our office to a lower rent building and conducted several additional fundraisers in an effort to maintain program and service levels. We are proud to announce that we are holding our own again in a tight economy."
Barnes and Noble recently selected the group as the recipient of its annual book drive.
"Blue Skies doesn't offer a holiday toy program, but has been giving books during the holidays to our families for the past five years," Guay said. "Our families are so grateful to be able to pick out a book to wrap up for their child."
Blue Skies was also the beneficiary of $1,455 from the Women Sharing Hope spring handbag auction and fall fundraiser.
Blue Skies' Winter Warm-Up Program is currently under way, providing coats, hats, gloves, scarves and blankets to homeless, low-income and foster children. To donate, or if you know a child in need, call 360-756-6710.
