bidding on cascades' success

The 2010 Annual Auction was a huge success at the Don James Center in Husky Stadium. With a record amount of attendees, 200 plus, the Auction raised over $31,000 for the NYMA and Cascades. The evening included a silent auction and a live auction with a professional silver tongued auctioneer who spoke so fast it made your head spin. Trumpet player, Scott Berkey, played piano beautifully during the reception as the silent auction began.

Auctioned items were gathered by members, staff and supporters with a huge variety of items like trips to Mexico, Cascades labeled wine, Symphony tickets and a Trailblazer autographed basketball, just to name a few. The Trumpet section had the highest bid basket with a luxurious collection of chocolates. Handmade quilts were sold for over $1,000 each and a special "Fund a Need" bidding for purchasing new vibraphones raised over $10,000!

The attendees mingled telling old drum corps stories and new parents experiencing the excitement that is drum corps for the first time. The Cascades staff was decked-out in green dress shirts and ties while the members donned black and white costumed for their roles as the wait staff for the evening. A fabulous dinner was prepared by staff members Dan Cornett, John Truman and the Cook Crew. Stuffed chicken breast with cheese, thyme and a delicious cream sauce danced off the plates as the smooth sounds of the Portage Bay Big Band entertained with jazz and swing classics.

Near the end of the night, Director Sal Leone spoke to the audience about his relationship to the corps expressing the value the organization has provided for thousands of young people over the last 53 years. The highlight of the night was the playing of the corps song, Imagine, for the audience and receiving a standing ovation from the attendees. Seattle Imperial alumnus, Mary Doolittle Burns, while wiping tears from her eyes said, "That gets me every time." There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

A huge heart-felt THANK YOU to Kristine Leone Frank who organizes this treasured event and her right hands, Karen Ward, Ruth Farkle, Sheryl Koch, Katey Roemmele, Melanie Springer, Carol Junglov, Jeff Frank, Honi Matchell, Jan James and Vicki Leone.

Photography courtesy of Benjamin Koch.