Silent auction benefits Deer Park school

The Daily Inter Lake

Wouldn't the children love a season pass to Big Sky Waterpark?

Montana drivers know they will need a replacement for their windshields some day, even if they're not cracked right now.

Or, with the added stress of Christmas preparations, an hour-long massage could be just what the doctor ordered.

Shop for them all in a silent auction from Dec. 15 through 20 and help Deer Park school at the same time.

Students and staff at the elementary school are working to raise the money it will take to finish laying sod in the newly built playground behind the school on Middle Road. From the beginning of the project last year, they have been designing the project, raising the needed money and pitching in alongside parents and others to build the playground.

So far, $36,000 has gone into the labor, concrete and play equipment, Principal Kim Anderson said.

That includes 6,000 square feet of sod. Another 15,000 square feet is needed to finish covering the sandy soil that blows into children's faces when the ground is not covered with snow.

To pay for that, the school organized a silent auction. It begins Dec. 15 and will close at the intermission of the school Christmas program Dec. 20. To bid, visit or call the school at 892-5388.

Businesses and community members have been generous in donating items: Tanning sessions from The Moving Image, natural honey from Sobczak Honey Farm, a pair of dinner-for-two certificates from the Back Room, dinner for two from Tien's Place, Blimpie gift certificates, Blacktail Mountain ski passes, half-day rafting with Wild River Raft Co., Glacier Maze day passes for four, cases of burgers from Glacier Wholesalers, hair cut by Sheer Perfection, two day passes and two season passes to Big Sky Waterslides, two Whitefish Theatre Co. tickets, Los Caporales $20 certificate, one-hour massage from Erika Purdy, Columbia Quick Lube oil changes, Dos Amigos $25 certificate, Don Gimbell artwork, Coffee Traders basket, Big Mountain day pass, windshield replacement from Cascade Auto Glass, car wash and vacuum from Clean Kars, 10-day teeth whitening treatment from Dr. Dean Calderwood.

Sportsman, Army Navy, Rustic Rails and Glacier Wallflower also are working on donation packages for the auction.