BOTHELL — When the leadership class at Bothell High School found out its annual Powder Puff football game was canceled this year, the students didn’t hang their heads like a quarterback who just threw an interception.
They put their heads together.
Although one tradition had ended, they wanted to preserve another.
The annual football game raised about $3,000 each year. That money was always sent to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which uses the funds to help grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Without a football game this year, they had to find another way to raise money — and quickly. It was less than two months ago they found out the game was canceled.
That’s when they came up with the Make-A-Wish Celebrity Auction. It takes place at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bothell High gym, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, in Bothell.
"We originally wanted a celebrity to make an appearance, but we couldn’t get one," said Katie Mathes, a junior in the school’s leadership class. "But we’re still calling it ‘celebrity’ because we’re auctioning off Bothell’s celebrities."
Some of Bothell High’s most outgoing personalities will be auctioning off their services, including baby-sitting, car washing, lawn mowing and other activities.
Athletes are offering up clinics in baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports to the auction block, and the school’s cheerleaders will host a birthday party for the highest bidder.
More than 30 students are volunteering themselves for the auction.
A silent auction also will be held with more than 20 items that include gift certificates from local businesses, Seattle Mariners baseball tickets and a football autographed by the University of Washington Huskies.
"Hopefully we can make ($3,000)," Mathes said, referring to the amount the school has raised in the past. "But I hope we can get more so we can grant a bigger wish for a child."
The Powder Puff game was canceled because the school couldn’t find four adults with football experience willing to volunteer, said Valerie Spagnolo, who teaches the leadership class. The coach who had done it in the past took a job at a different school this year, she said.
"The kids could have very easily said, ‘That’s too bad,’ " Spagnolo said.
In the past, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has used Bothell High’s contributions to buy a girl a huge dollhouse, take a boy on a shopping spree for toys, and help a boy meet James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
The Make-A-Wish Celebrity Auction takes place at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bothell High gym, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, in Bothell.
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