Nearly $30,000 was raised by the hospital's foundation dinner and golf tournament on May 28.

After covering costs, proceeds from the Wrangell Medical Center Foundation's annual fundraiser will go toward its cancer care and scholarship fund.

"We did better than last year on the auction," explained WMC's development coordinator Kris Reed.

At the Nolan Center on Saturday evening, auctioneer Steven Talbot led the proceedings, which included both a silent and live component. Guests bid on a number of items, including exotic vacation packages. One going under the hammer this year was a five-night package to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, with options to fish or visit Mayan ruins. Other items included donated quilts, prints, fused glass and various artworks.

The Foundation's cancer care fund helps sponsor patients' travel and upkeep expenses while seeking chemotherapy and other treatment. Later in August, another golf tournament – the 11th annual Rally for Cancer Care – will be held to further benefit the program.

"This year we tried to focus on our scholarship," Reed said of Saturday's dinner.

The Foundation will be building up its scholarship, now in its second year. Graduating senior Bryce Gerald was the recipient of this year's award, which supports local graduates who are pursuing studies in a medical-related field. Recipients are given $1,000 in two installments for two years of study.

On Saturday morning, 23 participants on six teams competed in the ninth annual Brian Gilbert Memorial Tournament at Muskeg Meadows. The nine-hole, best-ball tournament had as its prize a purse of $2,500. Though nobody was quite able to win it, the tournament also offers participants two chances at a hole-in-one for a $25,000 prize.

Photo submitted by WMC

Bidders vie for items at the WMC Foundation dinner auction on Saturday. The auction ended up bringing in $17,500 for the organization, which will go towards its scholarship and cancer care funds.

With a team score of 16, first place this year went to Grover Mathis, Kathleen and Wayne Harding. Second place went to the team of Wayne and Chris Ellis, and Faye and Keene Kohrt, with a score of 21. Roger Baker, George and Brett Woodbury, and Warren Edgley came in third with a net score of 23. Also with 23 were Joe Delabrue, Kevin Skeek, Nate Johnson and Pam McCloskey, and with 25 points were Sue Nelson, Jane Bliss, Tammy Davidson, and Kitty Evors. And taking this year's "Rear Raven" award with 27 points were Scott Glaze, Erin Neubauer, Julianne McCabe, and Vincent Balansag.

Despite the pleasant weather, several teams who would normally attend the tournament were unable to make it this year. However, the dinner was well-attended and with the auction, ended up being one of the best fundraisers yet. Over 100 tickets had been sold beforehand, and with more purchased at the door Reed estimate around 125 people attended Saturday's dinner.