Naval Station Everett hosted the American Red Cross Snohomish County Chapter 3rd Annual Humanitarian Dinner and Auction on May 14 inside The Commons Grand Vista Ballroom.

The theme for this year’s event was “Together, we do what individually we cannot.”

“With all the Red Cross does for the Navy,” said NAVSTA Everett Command Master Chief(SW/AW) Eric Emery, “it was an honor for the station to host this event for the second year in a row.” Emery also serves on the board of directors for the Red Cross of Snohomish County.

NAVSTA community services (formerly MWR) catered the event, and Sailors served as volunteers, running slips from successful bidders to the auctioneers during the proceedings.

More than 150 businesses and organizations, ranging from Boeing to the YMCA of Marysville, donated objects or services for the charity auction. The items ranged from $40 haircuts to two all-expense-paid African safaris valued at more than $4,000 each.

One of the more unusual services donated came from Rishi Brown. The Everett resident donated belly dancing classes, normally valued at $500, for the charity auction. Brown is the director of the Rishi Egypt belly dancing company, and knows from first-hand experience the work the Red Cross does.

“Last December we had a very damaging house fire,” said Brown. “The Red Cross of Snohomish County was integral in helping our family get through that crisis. Donating for the charity auction is our way of showing our appreciation for all the Red Cross does.”

Chuck Morrison is the executive director for the Snohomish County chapter of the Red Cross. He estimated that more than $65,000 dollars were raised through the dinner and auction.

“Having the dinner and auction at the naval station highlights the excellent relationship our local chapter has with the Navy,” said Morrison. “Congress chartered the Red Cross in 1905 to provide for emergency communications between military family members, and to provide disaster assistance and relief where it is needed. We’re proud of our ability to do that here in Snohomish County, and of our partnership with the Navy.”