The 11th annual auction and silent auction, sponsored for the last several years by Amcore Bank, is the biggest fundraiser the ranch runs on its own. The remainder of its funding comes from community fundraisers, private donations, and grants, director Anne Rakos said.

On the table will be more than 100 donations from communities served by the Ranch, including vacation packages, art by well-known local artists, Wisconsin Badgers sports tickets, handmade crafts, spa treatments, and veterinary sessions for pets.

In addition, the Ranch will raffle off a two-week stay at a resort in Orlando, Florida, valued at $1,200, $250 of "Christmas Cash," and a kids’ Trek mountain bike.

"There’s just so much that (community members) give us," Rakos said. "It’s very, very heartwarming and we certainly couldn’t do it without them."

Professional auctioneer Mike Bourke will officiate, she said, a regular crowd-pleaser, and food will be provided by Baraboo restaurant Elite Catering.

Previous auctions have raised between $16,000 and $18,000 for the program, Rakos said.

The tutoring program is currently serving 61 children between the ages of 6 and 10, while another 18 are waiting to be matched with a tutor – a record, Rakos said. In past years, the number of children has never exceeded 65.

"We always seem to need more tutors … no matter how hard we try," Rakos said.

Although the tutors are volunteers, the program needs money for training materials, educational materials for the students, and nutritious snacks.

The Kids’ Ranch program was started in 1999 to help children learn self-respect and respect for others, with the help of reading tutoring and mentoring by community members.

"Just that connection alone helps a bit, but also their grades improve, they get better self-esteem and better self-worth," Rakos said.

Rakos said the Kids’ Ranch is continuing to look for more tutors to get children off the waiting list. In addition, she said, the program was planning some early intervention in December to catch kids who might not otherwise be tutored until the 2010-11 school year.

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