President Obama said change is what we need. And that’s just what the Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe decided on when they planned its signature fundraising event this year. Keeping in mind many of the locals were feeling the economic pinch, organizers and chair Steve McNamara changed it up from an evening dinner dance to a casual afternoon deck party at Sunnyside Resort. They lowered the price of the ticket, served heavy hors d’oeuvres instead of dinner and offered complimentary wine tasting by Silkwood, Keating, Truckee River Winery and Wente Vineyards. Bingo! The Beach Ball Auction drew about 170 supporters who flooded the deck and dining room of the iconic West Shore eatery and watering hole. Many commented on how much they enjoyed the new fundraiser’s format.

The venue provided inspiring lakefront views and wiggle room for guests to move about and mingle while bidding on an overwhelming array of auction items. Soon after the silent auction closed, the professional Purple Wave Auction group, in conjunction with local auctioneer Jim Simon, started up the live auction which kept the afternoon hopping. Initially the organization has raised $24,000, with another $7,000 expected from a second online auction continuing through June 15 at http://www.purplewave.com.

Some of those bidding at the Beach Ball Auction were Toni and Gerald Rockwell, Jenny and Dave Antonucci, Marilyn and Ron Treabess, Cindy Gustafson and Wally Auerbach, Gail and John Scoville, Nancy and Al Colhoun, Brady and Bob McClintock, Pam and Dale Chamblin, Mary Ellen and Keith Vogt, Candi and Fred Wickman, Babette and Joe Henslee, Pammie and Randy Pomin, Diane and Frank Rosman, Sue and Sam Harrosh, Lynn and Greg Gibeson, Jennifer and Dave Shelton, Sherri and Bruce Pohle, Deborah Lapkin, Diane Miller, Sandy and Dick Tomlinson, Lauren and Ron Parson, Trudi Lee, Syd Earley, Fran Villa and Brian McGeever, Jan and John Chamberlin, Gracie and Don Sarmento and Nora and Bill Leeder.

and#8212;Vicki Kahn may be e-mailed at vickikahn@sbcglobal.net