The Greenwood Senior Center's Country Fair Auction is coming up on October 14 and the goal is to raise $30,000.

"This annual auction is the major fundraiser of the year," said Greenwood Senior Center Director Teri Barry. Last fall's "Shooting for the Moon Auction," brought in $27,213.

To add to the country theme, the center will be decorated with bales of hay and a roaming fiddler will provide entertainment during the event. Attendees will feast on fried chicken and meatloaf, while bidding on a live and silent auction.

With the City of Seattle and King County only providing a modest amount of funding for the center, the staff, Board and volunteers depend on fundraisers to keep the programs going. The center has an annual budget of $160,000 and serves over 360 members.

The Greenwood Senior Center is 31 years old and six months ago officially became part of the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA). The center has benefited from its new PNA relationship with reduced insurance costs, a reduction in the phone bill, free office supplies through Boeing Surplus, and shared office equipment and suppliers.

Plans are in the works to upgrade the center's Greenroom, dining room, bathrooms and making the facility more accessible to the handicapped. The City of Seattle's Fleets and Facilities Department recently painted the building's exterior.

Greenwood businesses are being asked to donate merchandise and can buy advertising space in the auction catalog. Monetary donations can also be made by businesses or individuals.

In the past, auction items have included weekend trips to northwest locations, Hawaii vacations, roundtrip Victoria Clipper tickets, gift baskets, restaurant certificates, theatre tickets and more.

Bakeries from all over the city contribute to the Dessert Dash. Tables at the auction are encouraged to donate money. Last year the winning bid of $600 enabled one table of people to choose the dessert of their choice.

Proceeds help support the center's programs. Each year, the center is visited 22,000 times by members.

A variety of programs like lectures on travel, health and acupuncture brings people in. Others come in to attend one of five exercise classes.

Seniors also take advantage of arts and crafts sessions, music groups, support groups in low vision, Alzheimer's disease and depression. People come in for chair massages, foot care, haircuts and can schedule appointments with a visiting a nurse on certain days.

Day trips to casinos, Mt. Rainier, art museums, dinner clubs and happy hours around the area are also available for seniors.

Five days a week, lunch is served and a spaghetti dinner is on the last Friday of each month.

"This is a real important activity to keep going," said Barry.

Besides Barry, the only other paid staff are Molly Kimmel, director of volunteer programs and Carin Mack, a social worker. All three work part-time.

Kimmel has been at the center for four months. "I love it. It has been a comfortable transition and it is a welcome place. I get feedback to cater to what they want. It's busy all the time," she said.

To make a donation to the Country Fair Auction call 297-0875 to receive an auction procurement form. Donations are tax deductible.