What a night of Spark!

On October 16, 237 guests came to Fort Worden State Park in festive evening attire for The 2010 Centrum Gala Dinner and Auction. Guests basked in the copper glow of the transformed Commons, savoring the excitement of bidding in live and silent auctions of experiences and treasured items.

They savored delicious AND gorgeous appetizers from chefs for Bon Appetit, Dream City Catering, The Public House, and Silverwater Café, followed by a succulent repast of local autumnal cuisine, selected and prepared by Bon Appetit Executive Chef Jay Payne.

Auctioneer Kevin Benedict conducted a fast and highly entertaining live auction, which was punctuated by a moving performance by singer and Jazz Port Townsend scholarship recipient Stina Hultin, who flew in from Wisconsin for the privilege (as she described it) of helping Centrum’s Fund-A-Dream raise scholarship funds.

And you responded.

The proceeds from The Centrum Galafundraiser support arts and education programs and workshops and provide scholarships to deserving students of all ages and backgrounds. Last year the Gala grossed $165,000. All of us at Centrum hoped that this year’s Gala would raise as much. It did better—it grossed $180,000,  a 9% increase over last year!

“Gratitude takes three forms: a feeling in the heart, an expression in words and giving in return.” Centrum extends a heartfelt thank you to all who made the Gala a profound experience and fundraising success.

Your SPARK! ignites the passion that changes lives.