Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Members of the Yelm community and surrounding areas displayed their vast generosity during the 31st annual Yelm Dollars for Scholars (YDFS) live auction and dinner event on Saturday, March 14, inside of the Lake Lawrence Lodge.
The organization wished to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the Yelm community for showing up and showing out by raising $121,000 — at the live auction and in an online silent auction — for the graduating class of 2026 at Yelm High School. The funds raised will be provided to graduating students after an interview process and can be used for multiple post-high school options like attending a four-year university, a community college, trade school and more.
The event on Saturday, March 14, was deemed as a tremendous success by the organization, as over 225 community members attended the event. Additionally, Masonry Cafe catered dinner at the event, the 507 Taproom provided bar duties, DZines sponsored a photo booth and Panowicz Jewelers provided “bling” for the “bling-ring raffle.”
YDFS appreciates the support of numerous local businesses who sponsored this year’s event, and wanted to recognize their generosity and commitment to making a meaningful impact on local students’ lives. These businesses are L.B. Steele Cabinet Company, Peak Credit Union, Timberland Bank, ACU Foundation, Spooner Berry Farm, Olympia Federal Savings, Tim’s Pharmacy, Dairy Queen, Edward Jokes — Hallett, Conklin, Whitworth, Horning Team, Wilcox Farms, Yelm Farm and Pet, and Cascades Camp.
“We value the continued partnerships with local businesses who support us each year and help make this event exceptional. With their support, we are able to provide the community with a first-class experience,” Dan Huttmann, YDFS president, said. “We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of this community. Since 1994, we have distributed more than $3.1 million in scholarships to thousands of students.”
The event earlier in the month also included a student speaker, Drew Kollar — who graduated from YHS in 2013 and was a former YDFS scholarship recipient. He shared how the scholarship from this local organization helped him pursue higher education as a first-generation college graduate. He expressed a deep appreciation for the opportunity and encouragement that YDFS provided.
Last year, YDFS awarded over $165,000 in scholarships to 116 graduating students. The organization is on track to “provide a similar level of support” to YHS’s class of 2026. For those interested in donating to the 2026 scholarship fund, you can visit yelm.dollarsforscholars.org to learn more about the process.
Aside from the annual tradition of the dinner and auction event, YDFS hosts several other fundraisers throughout the year in an effort to support seniors. In Oct., the organization partners with Crossroads Community Covenant Church in Yelm to organize a pumpkin patch. Then, from Jan. through March, YDFS partners with local restaurants and businesses in its “Taste of the Prairie” program where a portion of proceeds raised on select nights go directly back to the organization.
