FW Rotary raises over $20,000 at annual auction, “speed croquet” tourney

By Alex Bruell • September 1, 2022 1:10 pm
Courtesy photo FWPS Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and her team hold the trophy from the Federal Way Rotary Club’s first speed croquet competition at their annual fundraiser auction.
Courtesy photo FWPS Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and her team hold the trophy from the Federal Way Rotary Club’s first speed croquet competition at their annual fundraiser auction.

The Federal Way Rotary raised more than $20,000 for their youth scholarship and community support efforts at a live auction featuring “speed croquet” last Saturday.

The Rotary holds the fundraiser every year, but the Aug. 27 event was the non-profit’s first time experimenting with the timed version of the mallets-and-wickets lawn game, Rotary member Diane Lyons said.

“We do an annual fundraiser each year,” Lyons said, “but this year we decided to try something … fun (that) engages our community and includes all skill levels, gets us outside communicating and having fun with each other, and brings in families and people of all ages in the community together for a common cause.”

The Federal Way branch of the Rotary is made up of local residents who organize fundraisers and other efforts for youth, families, seniors and the less privileged in town. Historically, the Rotary has organized college scholarships and gift drives for the holiday season.

While the organization was about $4,500 shy of their $25,000 goal this year, “we are more than thrilled” with the amount raised, Lyons said.

Around 60 people attended the event, most of them competing in one of seven teams on the croquet field. The Federal Way School District, which fielded a croquet team, hosted the event at Illahee Middle School, and the Sea Scouts, a scout troop focused on aquatic activities, volunteered to serve as referees for the games.

Given the event was held entirely outside this year, it didn’t hurt that the weather was nice.

“It was a lot of fun, very fast paced, (with) lots of laughter, and just a great time,” Lyons said.

Some of the best fundraising items at the auction included a winery tasting in the Willamette Valley, a two-night stay at a Seaside, Oregon hotel, and a thrill ride in a Chevrolet Corvette.

But perhaps the biggest showstopper was the unique, handmade speed croquet trophy created by Rotarian and auctioneer Miguel Torres. The trophy features a miniature lawn with mallets, balls and a croquet hoop.

“He created that masterpiece out of his own imagination to honor the winners of the first croquet tournament,” Lyons said.

Money raised from the auction will fund scholarships for high school seniors, as well as the Rotary’s community service projects. In the past, those have included efforts at with Federal Way Senior Center, Centerstage Theatre and the Federal Way Chorale.

The croquet tournament will return next year, Lyons said, and the Rotary hopes to have even more teams. Those interested in the Rotary club can tag along at their meetings, which take place every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. Membership is open and donations are welcome, Lyons said.