The good folks at Brookdale Greens – a 55-and-older community of less than a hundred homes in Tacoma – is holding its sixth annual basket-themed auction Wednesday evening, but you can’t go.

Not unless you’re a Brookdale Greens resident.

For a decade now, Greens folk have supported the Parkland/Spanaway Food Bank with donations and volunteer hours. Five years ago, they decided to have more fun for their money, and came up with a basket-themed auction.

There are Seahawks baskets and wine baskets, food baskets and baby baskets, and last year the auction brought in $2,624. They hope to break that record on Wednesday.

All those baskets are put together by Brookdale Greens residents, who buy what goes into them. They’ll have a big dinner at the clubhouse Wednesday evening and then furiously try to outbid one another for the baskets they made.

The baskets are created and donated by residents and all the purchasing is done by residents so it really is totally our community raising the funds. We are not inviting you to advertise to the outside community; rather to see that a small group of senior citizens are doing wonderful things for our greater community.

Is it silly not to invite the public? Possibly, but they’re raising money and building community – and having a great night of fun in the process. Tip of the hat, folks.

Larry LaRue: 253-597-8638