Lighthouse Christian Home’s eighth annual swing dance shines a light on hearts this year as a warm-up for Valentine’s Day.

The dance will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Red Lion Hotel Ballroom.

This annual benefit dance and dessert buffet features standout auction items and traditional features with the theme “Come Light Up Your Hearts.” Christian home Development Director Dottie Maitland said advance table sales have doubled this year as word has spread about the fun event.

Tickets cost $30 each or $200 for a table. The Red Lion Hotel offers special room rates including breakfast in conjunction with this event.

“It’s a valentine’s theme so we say it’s a fabulous opportunity for a date night,” said Dottie Maitland. “We have a big band dance, live and silent auction and many surprises.”

BJ Lupton’s band will provide the music for dancing while donors have contributed big-ticket items for auctions, including a Broadway package with two nights in New York City with tickets for two plays or an option of a boat ride and dinner.

Fans of NFL quarterback Tim Tebow who missed out on tickets to his March 7 speech in Kalispell have a chance to bid on two during the live auction.

“One of our volunteers got a whole table for the Tim Tebow presentation so she is donating two tickets at her table,” Maitland said.

For hockey fans, the auction offers an authenticated signed picture of Wayne Gretzky, considered one of the greatest players ever. For women, McGough & Co. Jewelers has provided 50 necklaces for sale with an extra special box.

“One of them will have a value over $3,000,” she said.

Another live auction item involves a boat ride on Flathead Lake on the Black Pearl followed by a catered dinner for eight at a private home on Flathead Lake. A sporting package includes a day for eight at Scotty’s Shooting Ranch including lunch for a value over $800.

Anglers have an opportunity to cast the winning bid on a special outing, according to Maitland.

“We have a one-day fly fishing trip with Dave Brown,” she said. “In the silent auction, we have two half-day raft trips.”

Another outdoor donation came from Glacier Park Inc. in the form of a full-day jammer tour including lunch. Guests who want a break from winter may bid on a week’s escape to a private home in Palm Springs with a pool to take the edge off the desert sun.

“It’s all equipped and the people are turning it over to us for a week to use as an auction item,” Maitland said.

The silent auction features unusual items as well as practical goods and services people need to buy anyway. By popular demand, the pie auction/treasure chest event returns this year.

“We auction off four gorgeous pies and on the bottom they have a key,” she said. “Each person that wins the bid takes their key and tries to unlock the treasure chest.”

A major prize is revealed within the treasure chest. For this year, the organizers have included a drawing for the other three key-holders for a consolation prize.

Lowell Bartells of WestMont once again volunteered to handle the pie auction while Tracy Gardner of Gardner Auction serves as auctioneer for most of the live auction.

According to Maitland, Lighthouse Christian Home counts on this benefit to raise 40 percent of its operating budget for the year. Located on North Somers Road, the Christian farm-based home provides independent living for 12 adults with developmental disabilities.

Along with major support, the dance provides a wonderful time for the residents along with the public. Women residents pick out gowns and look forward to a day of pampering at Souci & Souci Hair Design to prepare for the dance.

Residents also create part of the entertainment at the benefit.

“This year there is going to be a big surprise from the residents,” Maitland said.

She said she was amazed by the generosity of private supporters and local merchants. Maitland points out the slow economy had made for difficult times for everybody.

“Yet people still open their hearts and they give and they give,” she said. “We just sit in awe. As the certificates are mailed in, it’s like Christmas every day.”

For tickets, call 857-3276. 

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.