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Ski Town USA benefit auction is Friday in Steamboat

Luke Graham

If you go

What: Ski Town USA Golf Classic Benefit Auction and Cocktail Party

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Sheraton Steamboat Resort Grand Ballroom

Tickets: $60 a person; they can be purchased in advance at Alpine Bank or the Steamboat Pilot & Today. Tickets also can be purchased Friday at the door.

At a glance

Some Ski Town USA auction items

■ 2010-11 Steamboat Ski Area season ski pass

■ Trip to Whistler Blackcomb for two

■ Four courtside tickets to a Denver Nuggets home game

■ Seven-night stay in Cabo Pulmo, Mexico

■ New Belgium Brewery Cruiser Fat Tire bike

■ Half-day guided fly fishing trip at Marabou Ranch

■ Trips across Routt County and Colorado

■ Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche tickets

■ Gift certificates to a variety of Routt County restaurants and other businesses

At a glance

Some Ski Town USA auction items

■ 2010-11 Steamboat Ski Area season ski pass

■ Trip to Whistler Blackcomb for two



■ Four courtside tickets to a Denver Nuggets home game

■ Seven-night stay in Cabo Pulmo, Mexico



■ New Belgium Brewery Cruiser Fat Tire bike

■ Half-day guided fly fishing trip at Marabou Ranch

■ Trips across Routt County and Colorado

■ Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche tickets

■ Gift certificates to a variety of Routt County restaurants and other businesses

— Tickets still are available for one of the community’s largest fundraising auctions of the year.

The Ski Town USA Golf Classic Benefit Auction and Cocktail Party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Grand Ball­room. The doors to the event open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 and are available in advance at Alpine Bank and the Steamboat Pilot & Today. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

The auction serves as the largest fundraiser for Steamboat Springs’ two Rotary clubs, which split the proceeds and use them throughout the year on local and international service projects and programs. This year, 10 percent of the proceeds also will go directly to Routt County United Way.

There are more than 300 auction items this year, including items such as hot tubs, trips to Florida, Maine, Chicago, Mexico and Whistler, British Columbia. Other items include jewelry, patio furniture, bikes and tickets to sporting events — including courtside tickets to a Denver Nuggets game. Small-ticket items from across town include car detailing, gift certificates, tennis lessons and guided trips.

“I think it’s important for the two Rotary clubs and United Way because the two Rotary clubs support a variety of nonprofits in the community,” said John Kerst, chairman of the Ski Town USA Golf Classic. “Plus, this raises money directly for United Way.”

In addition to the auction, the event includes a “Paddle Up” during which attendees can make a direct donation to Routt County United Way.

Some of the local nonprofits supported by Rotary Club grants include the Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice, Partners in Routt County, Tread of Pioneers Museum, LIFT-UP of Routt County, and the Steamboat Springs High School Booster Club. The Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs and Ski Town USA Rotary Club also provide scholarships to graduating Routt County seniors.

The local Rotary clubs also take part in a number of international service initiatives, including clean-water projects in Africa and Mexico.

“Anybody can come,” said Jane Denning, a member of the Ski Town USA Golf Classic committee. “And we encourage everybody to come.”

Denning said the auction isn’t just limited to the big items. She said any person in the community can come and bid on things and walk away with multiple items.

Kerst said the hope is to “put at least $15,000 in United Way’s hands.” In past years, the auction has raised more than $100,000. Kerst and other event organizers hope strong community support will again make the event a success.

Kerst stressed that the event is always entertaining, featuring plenty of food and a complimentary martini bar.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” he said. “There’s great food and beverages and we’re going to try and raise as much money as we can.”


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