You're Invited to the 24th WSC Wreath Auction

At a Whitehall Saddle Club meeting in 1989, after a long year of Barrel Races, O-Mok-See's, Horse Shows, and Rodeos, a group of Whitehall Saddle Club members thought a Community Open House at the WSC Club House would be a great way to give back. As the plans progressed, they decided to pair the event with Whitehall's Christmas Stroll event and raise awareness of the Whitehall Food Pantry. The plans included community members making wreaths that would be sold after the open house. Six beautiful wreaths were displayed. After the open house wound down, it was decided to move the wreaths to Ropers to auction them off. $2,200 was generated that night, and the first WSC Wreath Auction was a success.

Over the next 23 years, 1278 Wreaths were made and sold. Bringing in $122,000 in community funds. Where did all the money go? A few national nonprofits were sprinkled in over the years, but for the most, it was just local organizations and nonprofits. Occasionally wreaths have been made to support area-injured Veterans or someone with out-of-pocket medical costs that needed a helping hand for the holidays.

We did not do it alone, that is for sure. First, there are the community members who have made the 1278 wreaths. Then they donated their hard work to help others. Every wreath maker is allowed to designate where the funds from their wreath go. There are no pass-through fees; the Saddle Club hosts the Auction paying for all the expenses to promote a better community. Second are the people who come to view and vote on their favorite wreath. Voting with canned food or cash for votes. This portion of the day's events brings the highly sought-after bragging rights of first through third place for the wreath maker. Next are all the volunteers who help out on the day of the Auction. Finally, there are the Wreath Buyers. The many people who, over the years, have purchased one or more wreaths to brighten their doorway while giving back to the many organizations that benefit from the proceeds.

Moreover, we have succeeded with our original goal of Awareness for the food pantry by collecting hundreds of pounds of food to stock the shelves. Some years several pickup loads of food are transported over to the Pantry. Several years ago, we added a popular cash-for-votes option where votes could be bought and all those proceeds go to the food pantry. Allowing them to purchase to meet the needs of their patrons. This year we challenge you to vote early and often to help stock the beautiful new Whitehall Food Pantry location.

Highlights over the years: most wreaths were in 2004 at 90; followed by 89 in 2014. The most dollars raised was in 2019 at $11,814, followed by 2014's $10,842. We only take the top 30-40 wreaths voted on during the festival to live auction; the rest go for their top silent auction bid. This year we will be hosting the third of the four in memory of Skey Breitenfeldt. We auction these very special wreaths off to benefit the local school district Special Education classes in memory of Skye.

Please consider this your invitation to come and join in the fun and make, vote, and buy a Wreath. Contact Lonna Johnson at 287-3037 or Bridget Morse at 490-0645 for any questions. Wreath intake is Friday the 9th at the Community center from 3-6 PM, voting during the Christmas Festival between 10 AM and 5 PM; the silent auction ends at 5 PM, and the live auction begins at 7 PM at the Mint Bar.