By Paula Peterson

  • Members of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department
    Members of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department
  • Ross Molesworth recieves award from Roy Testa. Chief Uhler looks on.
    Ross Molesworth recieves award from Roy Testa. Chief Uhler looks on.
  • Ralph Jones, center, with Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Ben Sharit (L) and John Koster
    Ralph Jones, center, with Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Ben Sharit (L) and John Koster
  • Greg Almos, center, with Sheriff John D'Agostini (L) and Rotary Distrist Governor Joe Zarachoff
    Greg Almos, center, with Sheriff John D’Agostini (L) and Rotary Distrist Governor Joe Zarachoff
  • Ron Elges, center, with Douglas County Undersheriff (L) and Gary Poley
    Ron Elges, center, with Douglas County Undersheriff (L) and Gary Poley
  • Mike Anderson, center, with Lake Valley Fire Chief Gareth Harris (L) and Vika and Keith Byer
    Mike Anderson, center, with Lake Valley Fire Chief Gareth Harris (L) and Vika and Keith Byer
  • Ralph Jones, center, with Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Ben Sharit (L) and John Koster
    Ralph Jones, center, with Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Ben Sharit (L) and John Koster
  • All first responders and the award sponsors
    All first responders and the award sponsors
  • Steve and Lyndsay Bryant checking out auction items
    Steve and Lyndsay Bryant checking out auction items
  • Rotarians at the O'Rotary Wine and Beer bar before the doors opened
    Rotarians at the O’Rotary Wine and Beer bar before the doors opened
  • Rotarians Ben Sharit, Todd Poth and Dr. Dan Norman
    Rotarians Ben Sharit, Todd Poth and Dr. Dan Norman
  • The red carpet entrance
    The red carpet entrance
  • People enjoying the Irish Buffet
    People enjoying the Irish Buffet
  • A full and festive event venue
    A full and festive event venue
  • Phil and Peggy Blowney
    Phil and Peggy Blowney

While the Tahoe Douglas Rotary’s annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser has always been a local’s favorite, this year’s event created such a buzz around town that it actually sold out a month ago.

On Friday, March 13, 650 people filled Harrah’s Convention Center for an evening of first responder honorees, an inaugural digital silent auction, a wine and beer bar with televisions to watch the bidding from as well as a red carpet with “paparazzi” to record the evening.

For the first time a silent auction was held in South Lake Tahoe compeltely on mobile devices. Party goers registered their cell phones upon entry and could bid on all items from the luxury of their seats or the wine bar. They’d receive a text message if they were outbid which added a lot of new excitement.

Also adding excitement was the focus of the evening, the first responders being honored. One person from each of the six local agencies was chosen to be a Community Hero. Ralph Jones from Tahoe Douglas Fire, Ron Elges from Douglas County Sheriff, Al Martinez from South Lake Tahoe Fire, Mike Anderson from Lake Valley Fire, Ross Molesworth from South Lake Tahoe Police and Greg Almos from El Dorado County Sheriff’s were all honored with, not only a trophy and a weekend getaway at Harrah’s/Harvey’s, but with $1,000 donated in their name to the charity of their choice.

Watch the videos of each honoree.

There were six first responder sponsors for the event. Harrahs/Harveys, Yellow Cab, Keith Byer, UBS Bob Senna, Welcome’s Auto Body & Towing all joined Tahoe Douglas Rotary in donating a table in each first responder’s honor as well as the $1,000 donation to a charity.

Final tallies are not in yet but it is expected to be a record breaking event, not only with the number of people in attendance, but with the amount of money raised tha will go back into the community through grants, scholarships and donations.

Tahoe Douglas Rotary was formed on the South Shore September 9, 1962. For more information on the club, and how to join, visit their website.