The 2008 Duvall Civic Club’s White Elephant Auction is being held at the WRECK Center on Jan. 9.

Civic Club fundraising assists local individuals and organizations such as Hopelink, Sno-Valley Seniors, the Duvall Arts Commission and various Duvall Library programs. This year, proceeds will go to assist Benny Lagmay, co-owner of Lei’s Family Restaurant in Duvall, who suffers from congestive heart failure and is on the heart transplant waiting list.

The goal this year is to bring in at least 50 people, so the entire community is urged to participate with both auction donations and bidding.

The White Elephant Auction is not exactly on the “Must Do List” for the Fortune 500 Club. As a matter of fact, most of the items sell for well under $10.

Although low key, the Duvall Civic Club and Friends of the Library has benefited many organizations over the years and holds the extremely popular annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale as a library fundraiser.

Civic Club member Alan Butler is the auctioneer and his dry sense of humor at last year’s auction is likely one of the reasons the event was so well received.

Items typically range from wall and garden art to bath and beauty baskets; gadgets, books, movies, CDs, kitchenware – even handknit clothing. Some of the items are new and others are gently used, but the auction is not a junk sale. The January timing provides a convenient method to dispense with office party gifts or other unwanted gifts received over the holidays. This year’s donation list already includes a portable television, framed prints, hand-knit baby clothes, teak desk accessories, botanical prints and garden accessories.

Auction items can be dropped off at Duvall City Hall prior to the day of the auction, (January 9) or dropped off at the WRECK Center after 4 that day. Items taken to City Hall should be clearly labeled that they are for the auction. For more information on the auction or on Civic Club membership, please contact Sue Juhre at 788-7965 or Wendy Shimada at 788-2052.

The auction will be held at the Duvall WRECK Center on Stella Street at 7 p.m. on January 9. Entry is free (but bidding is encouraged!) Plenty of parking is available. Earlybirds will have the opportunity to browse first.