The Sequim community gave the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula a big salute and pat on the back on Veterans Day. At the 29th-annual auction on Nov. 11, the clubs grossed more than $304,000 to exceed event organizers’ goal.

This year, 400 guests were greeted with a salute from club members and staff after 250 silent auction items from the community raised about $25,000 for the clubs in Sequim and Port Angeles.

Club members sang the national anthem and presented a flag procession as Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless America” played. Veterans and servicemen and women were pinned and thanked for their service as well.

Ehmey Liggins shared her experience as a volunteer and single mother of three boys and club members and the impact the club and staff has had on their lives.

“It’s such a comfort to know that they are safe and in a place they enjoy, surrounded by people who really care about them,” she said. “The staff truly believe in what they do, it’s not just their job; it’s their passion, and it shows.”

Other highlights of the evening included a Dessert Frenzy, raising nearly $8,000, “Bids for Kids” to donate straight-up to operations, and a live auction with the top selling item, the head table at the 30th annual auction in 2018, going for more than $4,000. Local singer Amanda Bacon also broke out in spontaneous song and donated a live performance, which garnered a $2,000 bid.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula serves 400 youth daily in the Sequim and Port Angeles area at two clubhouses. For more information, call 360-683-8095 or visit www.bgc-op.org.

Boys & Girls Club members, from left, Alexandra Treece, Zac Bell, Taylor Heyting, Titus Liggins, Kaylee Straling, Saul Williams, and Sophia Treece stand before a large display at the auction supporting Sequim and Port Angeles clubs on Nov. 11. Submitted photo