Warren Spouses’ Club annual basket auction raises funds for scholarships

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO --  The Warren Spouses' Club is hosting its annual basket auction Feb. 26 in the Trail's End Club.

For at least the past 10 years, Air Force Global Strike Command's Warren Spouses' Club has hosted this event, said Missy Cook, Warren Spouses' Club president. All proceeds from this auction go back to members of the Warren community in the form of scholarships.

Cocktail hour for this year's "An Evening in Paris" themed auction begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner, Mrs. Cook added. During the dinner, silent auction items will be available to bid on and live auction items will be on display. The event is priced at $23 per person or $45 per couple.

Last year, auction proceeds reached $12,000, Mrs. Cook added. This year, the spouses' club is hoping for even more. That, plus funds received from other fundraisers allowed about 10 individuals to receive $1,500 to $2,500 each in scholarships.

It takes the donation of baskets from the Mighty Ninety for the spouses' club to be able to host this event, Mrs. Cook said. Baskets will be accepted for donation until Feb. 21 for this year's auction.

"We encourage people to use their imagination when creating their baskets," she said. Baskets to be auctioned should be themed, such as a "new baby" basket, which might have items such as rattles, bottles, blankets and pacifiers. Many people who've donated in the past have home businesses and have created baskets using those items.

Silent auction items can also be donated, Mrs. Cook added. Things such as dinner certificates, candles or home based business items.

Desserts will also be auctioned off throughout the evening.

"Donations can be given to any board member, but to make it easier, I am accepting delivery at my house, 88B Fort Warren Ave," Mrs. Cook said.

The basket auction isn't the only fundraiser or on-base program the spouses' club hosts, she added. The club sponsors the Thrift Shop, homes tours and Cinderella's Closet.

"We also aid many other big programs on base such as Arrive Alive, Tops in Blue and several Family Services programs," Mrs. Cook said.

To make a donation for the basket auction, volunteer to help with the basket auction or join the Warren Spouses' Club, e-mail warrenspousesclub@yahoo.com.