Yelm Dollars for Scholars - Yelm, WA

Chapter Since:  January 21, 1991

Students Supported:  Yelm High School
                                          Yelm Extension School

A Note from Yelm DFS:

After ten years of holding an annual community auction to raise funds for local scholarships, Yelm Dollars for Scholars has exceeded the $100,000 mark!  The 2005 auction was a great success, raising over $108,000.  The Yelm DFS auction has become one of the big events in Yelm and over 700 people were in attendance this year.

What Makes Yelm Dollars for Scholars Unique?
By Unknown Yelm Dollars for Scholars Volunteer

In looking up the definition of "unique", I find that it means: "one and only; single; sole; having no like or equal; unparalleled; highly unusual; extraordinary; and rare".  I then realized that Yelm Dollars for Scholars chapter is unique!  Our chapter has created an atmosphere in the Yelm area where people are constantly working for and with Yelm Dollars for Scholars.

This hasn't always been an easy thing, but there have been devoted people through the past 30 years who have slaved away at various money making projects trying desperately to make money for graduating seniors.  The group grasped at straws and at any possible money raising event to find funds for scholarships.  But as time went on more and more people became award of the Chapter's efforts and joined in on helping find funds.  The Yelm School District became more and more supportive and some 15 years ago, we became a really "unique" organization in Yelm!

In affiliating with Dollars for Scholars we became a more structured group and were given direction in our efforts to help students.  About 9 years ago, we realized that the local FFA had given up on having an annual auction and so our Chapter stepped in and tackled our first ever sale.  We of course hit up all the local businesses and individuals for donations and with much fear and trepidation we put on the event.  We were thrilled with the turn out - there must have been 50 or 60 people there and we were able to raise around $14,000!!  We then and there decided that would be our big money making effort each year.  As time has progressed it has become quite the event of Yelm - we always have it on the first Saturday in March and people mark their calendar.  Each year it has brought in more items for sale, more money for our graduating Seniors and more people to the event.  Two years ago, we convinced the Yelm Chamber of Commerce that they should sponsor a "Taste of the Prairie" (an event where all the local restaurants show off their wares), to be held in conjunction with our event.  This was an immediate success.  And this year was even better!  Our gross take for the Auction alone was over $86,000!!! [written in 2004 - see 2005 results above]  The results aren't in but the restaurants participating donate their receipts as well!!

One of the highlights of our auction is when we stop selling items and just ask those in attendance if they wouldn't like to give an amount to help the graduating seniors.  There are those who volunteered $4,000 and then it went down to $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $100 and $50!!  This accounted for over $40,000!!  At this particular moment, the entire crowd had a feeling of being a part of a wonderful opportunity - it was heartwarming!!  This was "unparalleled"!

OK - back to more unique!!  Our group has grown by leaps and bounds of people who want to help and they go about doing their tasks assigned them and we all come together to work in close harmony to make the event a success - and the great thing about it is everyone has fun doing it!  Of course some members are parents of students who participate, but many are people who joined because of interest in youth and have stayed with the group although they have no youth of their own who are seeking scholarships.

We like to think of our group is "having no like or equal" in the fact that we appeal to the employees of the Yelm School District and many of them join the automatic payroll deduction for Yelm Dollars for Scholars.  Not only do they do that but at scholarship time there are various groups of employees and education departments who go together and present scholarships!  These are dedicated and wonderful people who show they have faith in our youth and really set an example.

Because of the great coverage by our local newspaper, The Nisqually Valley News, people are constantly being kept aware of the great things our Chapter has accomplished.  More and more people have been adding Yelm Dollars for Scholars as a memorial at a time when they lose a loved one and each year there are several scholarships awarded in honor of one who has passed on.

We are a community who loves their youth and through Yelm Dollars for Scholars we have provided a "unique" opportunity for many to show that love through their financial support!  And so each year we now are able to present over $100,000 in scholarships to many deserving students!!

So "unique" is a most appropriate word in describing our wonderful organization, the Yelm Dollars for Scholars!  We are "extraordinary"!!

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