What will the ‘big’ item be this year? BGHS fundraiser talk of the town this week
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Ever wanted to have dinner with a past president? How about dinner with a past president who loves to paint dogs and has a great sense of humor? Then you’ll want to attend the festivities celebrating the 23rd Annual Hank Wright Golf Tournament, which will be held on Friday, April 10, at Lemon Bay Golf Course.
Golfing starts at 9 a.m., with late registration beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, April 6, is the cut-off for entry, and applications can be found at the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation web site, bghcfoundation.com. Each team consists of five golfers.
The 23rd Annual Hank Wright Silent and Live Auction will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. While the cost of auction entry is included in the golfing package, if you would like to attend the auction alone, you can. The cost is $75 and is payable by PayPal at bghcfoundation.com, or by check, dropped off at the Health Clinic Foundation Office or mailed to BGHCF, PO Box 2340, Boca Grande, FL, 33921.
This year there are several featured live auction items, but two in particular are sure to turn heads. The first is a “presidential” trip for eight, to include private jet flight to and from Coral Creek airport to have lunch and a private tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Library with none other than President George W. Bush. Last year a similar trip went for $165,000 to bidder Richard Fraser, who swore prior to the auction that he would win … no matter what. If he will be there this year, it might be wise for prospective bidders to beef up their checking accounts prior to the event.
The live auction will also feature a dinner party and political commentary for 60 at The Gasparilla Inn & Club, hosted by Brit Hume. Hume is a regular visitor to Gasparilla Island and loves a good political debate.
Other auction items include:
• A painting by Joyce Howe called “Three Vases”
• A necklace created by Jeanie Stevenson
• A bridge tournament for 12, lunch included, at the gulf view home of Bayne and Jeanie Stevenson (donated by Martha Diebold, Leslie Miller and Jeanie Stevenson)
• A trip to the Tarpon Lodge for lunch (donated by Debbie and Ted Lilly)
For more information about the auction or the tournament, go to bghcfoundation.com or call 964-0099.
