WOOLWICH

Continuing a 20-year tradition, Woolwich Central School welcomes the community to a benefit auction at the school Saturday, March 16.

Proceeds will support the eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C., which takes place every June.

This year’s auction returns to the newly renovated Woolwich Central School, 137 Nequasset Road, beginning at 5 p.m. with a silent auction. The live auction follows at 6.

Child care is available, with activities and food planned throughout the evening,

The event is hosted by the eighth-grade class and caps their fundraising efforts for the four-day trip, which is part of the civics curriculum at the school and will feature meetings with Maine’s senators and other elected officials, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and perhaps a White House tour.

The cost of the trip, which exceeds $20,000, is raised privately. Typically, students spend more than a year raising funds.

“We are so grateful to the many businesses and individuals who donate so generously to our school,” auction coordinator Tracy Smart said. “Our community has continued to support the trip with creative and generous giving. It is also a wonderful bonding experience for the eighth-grade class, who work together with teachers and volunteers to plan and pay for the trip.”

Items donated for auction include a Portland vacation package; greens fees for four at the Sebasco Resort golf course; Red Sox tickets; and more.

As items for auction come in, they are being posted to the WCS Class Trip Facebook page. Additional information may also be found at www.woolwich.rsu1.org/