YWCA raised $431,535 during centennial gala

Vancouver – YWCA Clark County raised $431,535 at its Sept. 10 centennial gala at the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

Several large pledged gifts were made, and 500 guests donated money to support the nonprofit’s core programs: The SafeChoice Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Independent Living Skills Program and Y’s Care Children’s Program.

The Ray Hickey Foundation pledged $50,000, which added to $53,000 raised during a special portion of the evening.

“YWCA has a 100-year legacy of providing hope and opportunity to our community’s most vulnerable women, children, and families, and our collective support tonight ensures that this legacy continues,” said Linda Rae Hickey, foundation trustee.

Erik Runyan jewelers raffled off a one-of-a-kind necklace, Beaches Restaurant donated a refurbished red dune buggy that garnered $21,000 during a live auction, and the Beaches Foundation gave $10,000.

YWCA Clark County started in 1916 as a lunch counter, providing a safe place for women in the workforce to eat and socialize. Since then, YWCA has evolved with the needs of the community by “focusing on safety, career and life skills, community service, health and wellness and social justice,” YWCA said in a news release.