Since 1973, the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce has provided outstanding assistance, community development, membership services and enjoyable networking opportunities in partnership with area businesses, professionals, community groups, and the military.

Staff: Laura Guyles (Support Services Specialist) and Emma Hershberger (Consumer Lending Underwriter)


Glitz and glam are usually the first thoughts that come to mind when anyone hears about a red carpet event! The next few thoughts are about the celebrities attending and all the flashy outfits. Well, at least those were my first thoughts when agreeing to volunteer at the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce 2019 Red Carpet Gala event. I was excited to see the celebrity look-a-likes that would attend and to experience a live auction first-hand.

When my coworker, Emma, asked me to volunteer, it didn’t matter what the job was as long as I got to experience the fun. I love to volunteer and get out in the community with various causes. This opportunity was no different.

On the day of the event, Emma and I were asked to arrive early to prepare the registration table. We were tasked with setting-up computers, printers, programs and meal tickets. Although it seems easy enough, it was more challenging than expected. Trying to locate the meal tickets and having to move a whole table of wine bottles caused this task to quickly take up most of our set-up time, but we made the most of it and got in some really good laughs.

Our main focus of the night was to check-in the guests and ensure they had their bid numbers for the silent and live auctions. Throughout the evening we were assigned with calculating each bidder’s donations, so at the end of the night they could check-out with their credit/debit cards for the total of all their purchases.

Even with the chaos of bids coming-in from every direction and calculating the silent auction items, I got a feel for the generosity of everyone involved. The guests were dressed for the event in all their glamour, including the great Elton John and beautiful Lucille Ball look-a-likes. The event was full of laughter and the generosity of the patrons made this one of the most fun and exciting volunteer events I have attended.

Through coworker encouragement and KCU’s volunteer program, #KCUCares, I was able to get out in the community and experience something new. All while helping raise funds for Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.