'A Taste of Hope' benefit planned

Whitman Community Hospital Foundation will host “A Taste of Hope” Friday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Center, adjacent to the library. This wine, beer and sparkling cider tasting event features local wineries, Merry Cellars, Pullman, and Basalt Cellars, Clarkston.

Local craft brewers Paradise Creek, Pullman, and Palouse Heritage Brewing, Endicott, will also be there, as well as cider maker Sheffield Ciders from the Columbia Basin. They specialize in fine quality non-alcoholic sparkling ciders.

Hilltop Catering of Pullman will cater tables of snacks.

Major sponsor for the event is Waddell and Reed, Pullman, and hour sponsors are Edward Jones, Pacific Northwest Growers Cooperative and McGregor’s, Colfax.

The event will support purchase of an ultraviolet disinfection unit for Whitman Hospital and Medical Center, and it will also add to the foundation’s endowment fund. The endowment fund earns income that is used to support hospital needs, such as moving the physical therapy department to the lower level during the hospital remodel and supporting the purchase of the 3D mammography machine.

Fundraising committee members Kathryn Vogler, Kimberly DeHart and Arielle Lawhead, along with foundation coordinator Harless Hartman, have been arranging vendors and organizing silent auction items. Live auction items include four tickets under the overhang at Martin Stadium for the WSU-Arizona game Nov. 5 as well as the purse game.

Auctioneer and master of ceremonies will be Jim Van Lith, St. John. He is stepping in for regular foundation auctioneer Butch Booker who will be conducting a large farm equipment auction in Eltopia that day.

Silent auction items include a signed bottle of Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, a basket for hunters, barbecue chef’s basket, massage gift certificate, Christmas items and children’s items.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

They can be purchased from any hospital foundation board member, or by calling Linda Marler. Attendees must be 21 and older.

397-3172,

mlmarler@q.com