It’s a busy week for community fundraisers in town.

It will start with a silent auction to raise money for Wrangell Burial Assistance, which has provided financial aid since 2019 for families facing burial or cremation expenses for their loved ones.

The crystal glassware auction items have been on display at First Bank since last week, with bidding set to end at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

“This is the perfect opportunity to find something special for your holiday gatherings, while supporting a great cause,” the nonprofit group said.

There will be another auction on Sunday, Oct. 25, to raise money for the WMC Foundation Cancer Care program, which provides small grants to help families pay travel expenses for out-of-state treatment.

The auction, set for 5 to 6:30 p.m., will be at the Tongass Federal Credit Union branch on the first floor of the Kadin Building on Front Street.

It’s unusual for a financial institution to be open on a Sunday, but this is a special occasion, explained Marisa Fulgham, Wrangell branch manager. The Southeast-wide credit union selected the WMC Foundation for its annual fundraiser, she said.

The board of directors and supervisors committee, close to 18 people in total from around Southeast, will be in town for their annual meeting Oct. 26-27. It’s also the 10th anniversary of the Wrangell branch, Fulgham said. 

“It’s always nice to be able to help out the community we’re located in. … This year we chose the WMC Foundation, specifically cancer care.”

The event will include light snacks catered by the Stikine Inn, with the auction items displayed in the building lobby.

They hope to raise $5,000 with the auction, Fulgham said, and Tongass Federal has pledged to match up to $5,000, adding up to a possible $10,000 event.

The auction will include art, a quilt, glass work, foods, gift baskets and more — anyone willing to donate needs to get their items to the credit union office as soon as possible, she said.

Patty Gilbert, WMC Foundation president, said the auction fundraiser will cover for the loss of the annual August golf tournament at Muskeg Meadows, which was canceled when the tides did not match up with travel needs. She explained that the golf event depends heavily on the more than 30 people who boat over from Petersburg, but the tides and the golf event did not align on the day assigned.

“We will have a tournament next year,” she pledged.

WMC Foundation provides grants of up to $1,200 for lodging and airfare for residents of small towns in southern Southeast Alaska who need to travel out of state for cancer care.