COEUR d’ALENE — A special fundraising event, open to the public, will be held at the home and gardens of Duane and Lola Hagadone in Casco Bay on Wednesday, Aug. 23, to benefit the Historic Mission House Renovation at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.

The event will include two special guests: Washington State University men’s basketball head coach Ernie Kent and assistant coach Bennie Seltzer.

Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the gardens, which feature more than 300,000 plants and flowers. The Hagadone gardens are the largest privately owned gardens in the Pacific Northwest.

Tickets to the event are $100 per person or $175 per couple and they are 100 percent tax deductible, since the costs of the event are being covered by Duane and Lola Hagadone. Additional renovation sponsorship opportunities are available for larger donations.

Dr. Ellen Jaeger, chairman of the Mission House Legacy Committee, says, “Our historic Mission House Renovation project is well on its way to success. This fundraising event at the home of Duane and Lola Hagadone could very well put us over the top. We are all very appreciative of Duane and Lola’s generosity in hosting this fun event. This will be a wonderful opportunity for people to see these gorgeous gardens.”

She adds, “We invite all of our friends and supporters to join us. Preserving our historic buildings is an important part of our community and enhancing the culture.”

Ernie Kent is the head men’s basketball coach at Washington State University. His professional coaching career also includes head men’s basketball coach at the University of Oregon and at Saint Mary’s College of California. Kent has served in multiple coaching roles for USA Basketball, winning a pair of gold medals in 2001 and 2003. He has coached some of the world’s greatest players.

Bennie Seltzer joined the WSU coaching staff this year after spending the last two years at Loyola Chicago as an assistant men’s basketball coach. Seltzer entered the coaching profession after a successful playing career that began at Washington State and took him overseas upon graduation. After leaving Pullman, Seltzer embarked on a four-year professional career that took him to Turkey, Venezuela, Poland and Holland.

The Mission House was originally built in 1928; it is located at 919 E. Indiana Ave.

Planned updates include renovations to create gathering space for meetings, events, retreats and classes. It will also feature some office space, and a new kitchen and dining area that can serve 60 people. The building will also receive energy efficient upgrades and become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it’s fully accessible by wheelchair.

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets please contact Carol White at (208) 664-9259. Advance ticket purchase is required, and the number of tickets is limited.