Bonney Lake Tavern Hosting Fundraiser for Drill Team

The idea was conceived during a round of Bloody Marys.

Five Panther Parent Pride moms stopped by the one afternoon to brainstorm fundraising for the Bonney Lake and Sumner Drill Team, which needed new uniforms.

The 19 drill team members go to either Bonney Lake or Sumner high schools and perform for both schools during football games. The girls must have two uniforms for the games – teal for Bonney Lake, purple for Sumner. Now that football season is over, the team has qualified for districts and have more competitions in 2011, including the invitational they are hosting at Bonney Lake High School on Jan. 29. They need a uniform that can unite them for competition.

BLT owner Gary Wolford was at the bar and started chatting with the PPP moms. They asked him if he would donate a gift to their auction, maybe a gift certificate to the BLT.

Wolford came up with something better – he'd shut down the BLT for a night and host a fundraiser auction for the drill team, for free. He told them to pick a date and choose a menu, and he'd take care of the rest. He'd even pay for the food, and the drill team can keep all the money they raise at the event.

"He went way above and beyond," said PPP mom Faunna Bartlett. "It's very generous and we're very excited."

The adults-only event will feature a spaghetti and chicken fettuccini dinner with salad, garlic bread and, of course, drinks. A half-dozen parents will show up at 5:30 p.m. or so to decorate, and the event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each.

Wolford offered to host an auction with items he is procuring himself, which could include local deals or special finds. He is a high school sports philanthropist, having been known to give generous donations and host successful fundraisers for the football teams and other school organizations.

PPP hopes to raise about $2,000 at tonight's event, but Bartlett said they'd be happy with anything they could get.

"We are just grateful for the opportunity," she said.

If you want to attend tonight's fundraiser, you can purchase tickets at the door for $20 each. All money raised will go to the Bonney Lake-Sumner Drill Team.

Update: The BLT fundraiser brought in $2,200 for the Bonney Lake-Sumner Drill Team!