Auctioneer Keith McLane whips up excitement during bids for Deladier Almeida's Birthday Creek riverscape. The auction volunteer is Sue McCullough Sanden.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - By June tradition, a gala and art auction hosted more than 200 guests in the Effie Yeaw Nature Center last weekend.

Supporters of the beloved Carmichael nonprofit organization wined, dined and opened wallets to purchase art and cultural experiences.

 Rio Americano High School students provided a jazzy ambiance. The musicians are, from left, Salome Ospina, Miles Rothman, Zack Long and Colin Thowtho.

Much of the proceeds will fund programs at the 48-year-old facility, named for pioneer nature educator and Carmichael resident Effie Yeaw.

 In recognition of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center's location on what was tribal land, gala ceremonies begin with a native American song by flutist Al Striplen. Nature Center CEO is Rachael Greve.

Outreach continues under the aegis of the non-profit American River Natural History Association.

 Stephan Booth (left) celebrates his winning bid for a Tom Sellas Riverscape called Rio Pond. Auction volunteers are Sara Tabatabai and Ryan Digman.

Reinvented this year with a camp theme, the Camp Effie Yeaw fundraiser included a barbecue dinner and s’mores dessert buffet. A quartet from nearby Rio Americano High School provided jazzy interludes.

Auctioneer Keith McLane encouraged bidding; patrons raised paddles to fund Nature Center needs. Television anchor Molly Reihl was the emcee.

 A sold-out event with more than 200 attendees includes supporters, from left, Richard Hauch, Kim Pacini Hauch, Janet Crooks and Mark Drobny.

2024 sponsors included CBEC Eco Engineering, Charles Dailey, Helen Diepenbrock, Marcy Friedman, Bob and Deborah Moskovitz, Drs Kevin Tanner and Gabrielle Rasi, Supervisor Rich Desmond, and Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council.

 Supervisor Rich Desmond (left) supports the fundraiser with, from left, wife Lisa, Jim Ison, Janie Desmond Ison and Heidi and Brad Sanborn.

Proceeds are not known, as of press time.

For Nature Center information, visit https://www.effieyeawnature.org/.

 Good Day Sacramento anchor Molly Reihl, third from left, joins gala guests, from left, Johnny Javanifard, Elke Von Schlosser, Sylvia M. Fitzgerald, Gary Zilaff and Chuck Halnan.