EPHRATA — As Spokane-area communities begin the long process of recovering after a series of wildfires, one Ephrata business owner is bringing Grant County residents together to help. 

Jenni Bates, owner of The Rustic Rooster and Going Postal, has organized a benefit dinner and silent auction on Aug. 13 to raise money for wildfire victims in Spokane and Stevens counties. The event sold out within days, and additional donations continue to pour in through collection bins placed at businesses throughout Ephrata. 

"We have friends who have friends, and we've heard horrible stories," Bates said. "I've always been a service person. I've been in Kiwanis, I've been in the chamber, and I work for an insurance company. We always take care of people in need." 

The fundraiser was organized in partnership with Briquette's Catering and will feature dinner, raffle drawings, silent auction items and giveaways. All proceeds will be donated through the Innovia Foundation's wildfire relief fund. 

Although organizers capped ticket sales at 100 attendees, Bates said community support exceeded expectations. 

"We started sales last Thursday and sold our last ticket today," she said Wednesday. 

Recognizing that many residents still wanted to help, Bates and local volunteers placed donation bins throughout the community to collect additional contributions. 

"I have these little containers. They're bright red," Bates said. "Our colors are red, white and blue because we feel like this is the American way to help each other." 

The bins, along with QR codes directing residents to donate, are located at participating businesses across Ephrata and will remain available throughout the rest of the week. 

The fundraiser comes as firefighters continue recovery operations on the Autumn Lane, Old Trails and Fairview fires, which ignited Aug. 1 in Spokane and Stevens counties. 

According to InciWeb, the three fires have burned a combined 9,932 acres. As of Aug. 12, the Autumn Lane Fire was 89% contained, the Old Trails Fire was 83% contained and the Fairview Fire was 97% contained. 

Financial impacts from the fires have also been significant. 

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, suppression costs for the Old Trails Fire have surpassed $15 million, while costs for the Autumn Lane Fire have exceeded $10.3 million. The Fairview Fire has cost more than $1.1 million to suppress. All three fires are currently listed as human caused. 

Fire crews continue patrolling for hot spots, repairing suppression damage and assisting with recovery efforts in burned neighborhoods. Officials estimate approximately 833 structures have been damaged or destroyed, while The Associated Press reported roughly 65,000 people were forced to evacuate during the fires. 

Recovery efforts are expected to continue for weeks as environmental crews inspect burned properties for hazardous materials and utility workers repair damaged infrastructure. 

For Bates, helping fire survivors is personal. 

In 2014, she experienced a fire that destroyed her business shop and vehicle. 

"I know how they feel," she said. "It's just so devastating to feel like everything's gone. And I didn't even lose my home. So, I can't even imagine." 

The silent auction has drawn donations from businesses throughout Ephrata, including restaurant gift cards, beauty products, homemade jams, floral arrangements, wine, children's items and gift baskets.  

"We don't have any really big-ticket items," Bates said. "But I feel like Ephrata is so supportive that they'll just bid up whatever we have." 

She said the generosity of community members has been one of the most rewarding aspects of organizing the event. 

"We all support each other. We always have," Bates said. "I didn't have any problems. I didn't have any no's." 

One donation in particular stood out. Bates said a woman from Moses Lake drove to Ephrata to purchase a fundraiser ticket and paid more than three times the ticket price. 

"Our tickets were only $15, and she paid $50," Bates said. "My heart just couldn't even believe it." 

While Bates does not have a specific fundraising goal, she hopes the event makes a meaningful difference for families facing the difficult task of rebuilding. 

"We're just happy to have it and go bank it, on Monday," she said. 

If community interest remains strong, Bates said she is open to organizing additional fundraisers in the coming weeks. 

"I might do another one if there's interest," she said. 

For now, she said the effort demonstrates what can happen when small communities come together to help neighbors in need. 

"I'm just so proud of my community," Bates said. "In a very short window, we've come together, and I just hope we can raise enough money that makes a difference for the Spokane victims."