Dinner auction to benefit preschool

Items include gift certificates, signed Seahawks helmet

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

The Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool is the longest-running preschool in the area, established in 1962. To help keep the school running, the non-profit organization will host its annual dinner-auction on March 13 at the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club.

The event will be catered by Snuffin’s catering of Gig Harbor, and the preschool will use the funds to help pay for the operating costs of this school year.

“The tuition is not enough to pay for operating costs,” Co-president Laura Seim said. “The auctions have always been popular and successful, and everyone has a good time.”

The benefit boasts prizes, such as gift certificates from Uptown Gig Harbor boutiques, Mariners tickets and a Seattle Seahawks helmet autographed by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The school’s unique aspect is that it’s owned and operated by the preschoolers’ parents. An affiliate of Bates Technical College, the school features two locations — one at the Hales Pass Community Building and the other at the Masonic Temple by Crescent Creek Park. The school takes children ages 2 to 4.

Teachers Becky Colglazier and Terrie Dignam head up the classrooms while parents pitch in on a regular basis.

“The two teachers work together beautifully,” Seim said. “The parents take turns working and being involved. You’re right there with your child as he’s learning, experiencing and meeting new friends. You’re also learning as a parent yourself.”

The children partake in science projects, cooking and art.

“We made paint out of flour,” student Sawyer Atwill said. “But we couldn’t keep it because it would attract ants.”

Student Joshua Haroldsen has created so many art projects, they have to hang on the wall in his bedroom.

“We can’t put them on the refrigerator because there isn’t enough room,” he said.

The parents enjoy the time at the preschool as much as the children.

“Our motto is, ‘Families working together,’ ” Seim said.

That’s Amore

That’s Amore, a dinner auction, will support a community cooperative preschool at 6 p.m. March 13 at the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club, 8502 Skansie Ave. in Gig Harbor. To make reservations or to donate auction items, call Stephanie Muilenburg at 206-465-0053.