The Aug. 12 Sunflower Celebration at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor will include a very fun and unique live auction led by Douglas Gimbel. The event benefits Friends of Thai Daughters (FTD), a non-profit founded ten years ago by Boothbay residents Patty Zinkowski and Jane McBride. The VIP Reception at Ae Home begins at 4:30 p.m. and the Opera House doors open at 5:15 for the Sunflower Celebration.

The live auction includes a trip to Thailand with business class seats from Cathay Pacific and American Airlines, lodging and elephant rides at the stunning Anantara Resort in the Golden Triangle, and a stay at FTD’s grant-funded guesthouse in Chiang Rai. The auction also features a trip to LA with tickets to the Ellen Degeneres show.

Local businesses and residents have been extremely generous in their live auction donations. Look for “sunflower signs” throughout the community at donor businesses. Topside Inn and Welch House Inn are donating lodging; Kate Horgan is donating evening cocktails on amazing Hunting Island; Kate and Craig Muir are donating six VIP tickets to Bruce Cockburn’s Opera House show; Mexicali Blues is donating statues and wall hangings; Balmy Days is donating trips to Monhegan; ML Rapelye is donating a kid’s birthday party at her MOFGA farm and a stay at her farm B&B; Maria Boord Gallery and Margaret Canepa are donating paintings; Ae Home is donating a ceramic bowl hand crafted by Alison Evans; Hahns End is donating their fantastic cheeses; Norembega Oysters is donating oysters; naturalist and birder Tom Arter is donating a bird walk on a local preserve; Thistle Inn, Red Cup Coffeehouse, Sherman’s, Tidepools, Weatherbird, Oxbow Brewery and Best Thai are donating gift certificates; and for musical instrument aficionados, Ned Steinberger is donating a private tour of his studio.

Chef Liz Evans, proprietor of East Boothbay General Store, is donating the food for both the VIP reception and the Sunflower Celebration. Norembega Oysters is donating oysters for the VIP reception. Kim and Philippe Villard are donating their time and talent for the live art installation and video at the celebration. Both Inanna, Sisters In Rhythm and the Opera House are discounting their rates for FTD. Harbor Theater is donating ad space while Welch House Inn and Flagship Inn provided discounts to visiting FTD supporters.

FTD provides a safe house, education, and emotional support to young girls at risk of being trafficked in Northern Thailand. To see the auction slide show and/or purchase tickets for the VIP Reception and/or the Sunflower Celebration, visit www.friendsofthaidaughters.org or email info@friendsofthaidaughters.org. Businesses that are interested in participating should email info@friendsofthaidaughters.org.