CEF Auction: ‘It’s Your Move’

During the past 18 years, the Camas Educational Foundation has given more than $1 million to Camas school’s educational programs.

The grant money has gone to fund everything from enhanced reading curriculum in elementary schools, to laptops and computers for a middle school LEGO League team, to new classes at the high school level.

This year, auction chairwoman and recent Camas High School graduate Cassidy Hines is hoping to continue that tradition with the annual CEF auction and dinner on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Portland Airport Sheraton. This year’s theme is “It’s Your Move.” The event is semi-formal and includes both silent and live auctions.

Hines, 21, is a past recipient of a CEF grant and is hoping to make a career in event planning. She got involved with CEF during her senior year of high school, while a member of the Key Club.

“I wanted to give back to my community and get involved,” she said. “CEF funds really interesting and innovative educational programs. The outcome of the auction determines what we can give to the schools.”

This year’s fundraising goal is $100,000. Some of the auction items include a sailing trip, date night for a year, a birthday party at a local fire station, wine tastings, a dedicated student parking space at CHS and a fly fishing trip. This year’s raffle prize is a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.

“I think people should support this event because CEF helps the whole district,” Hines said. “We have given back to every school and helped make sure the education children receive is top-notch.”

“We are refreshing things with the auction and dinner a bit, but most things will be very similar to in years past,” she added.

Every year, there is a “special appeal,” portion of the event, and this year’s theme is “Learning 365.”

“It looks at how we keep students learning the whole year, not just while they are in school, and how to get there,” Hines said.

It is the first year the auction has been held in February instead of October. The change was made to better accommodate school sports and avoid conflict with the start of the school year and related activities.

“I really encourage people to attend this,” Hines said. “It’s going to be a fun event and some people are even dressing in a Monopoly theme. That’s going to be epic.”

To purchase tickets, visit www.cefcamas.org or call 335-3000.