From paintings by Bremerton’s very own Amy Burnett to work from Western artist Oleg Stavrowsky, the third annual Peninsula Services art auction is a sure bet for something special for mom on Mother’s Day or any other occasion.

The event is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. May 9 at the Bremerton Elks Lodge and unlike some other galas and charity fund-raisers, admission is free. The only caveat is that reservations must be made in advance.

The proceeds go directly to program development for Peninsula Services, which is a non-profit agency with “the purpose of providing quality vocational, social and life enriching experiences which allow people of all abilities the opportunity to grow, set and achieve their personal goals and maximize their potential.”

“It’s not only a fund-raiser,” said Peninsula Services director of business development Holly James. “It’s also a way to increase awareness in the community of our mission and for the community to come together and raise money for our programs.”

The idea for the auction came about three years ago, when board member Helene Norman brought it up as a way to potentially raise money to support the organization’s many programs.

“The community support has been great, once people realize what we’re doing,” Norman said, noting that during the first year of collecting art for the event, many people didn’t know that the organization even existed.

Fellow board member Jennie Lund joked that the idea “was really a way for Helene to get rid of all the art she didn’t want.”

On a more serious note, the auction goes a long way to helping Peninsula Services purchase the equipment it needs to enable people with severe limitations become productive, contributing members of society, Lund said.

For Peninsula Services executive director Jill Robinson, the event is crucial to the organization’s program development efforts with the severely disabled.

“This allows to work with people and take their talents and skills, so they can do a job,” Robinson said. “It helps them feel like part of the community.”

Many people don’t realize how much those with disabilities can accomplish if given the right circumstances to succeed, so every dollar raised at the auction has a positive impact,” Robinson said.

For those concerned about the types of art appearing at the auction, the event is a family affair and there’s no need to worry about what children will see, James said.

No dollar goal has been set for the auction, but James said the hope is always to raise more money than the previous year and that thanks to the generous support of all of the sponsors including Key Bank, the Artist’s Edge and auctioneer Kip Toner, almost all of the overhead for the event is covered.

The Bremerton Elks does a wonderful job of providing a venue for the event and has been extremely supportive of the organization over the years, she said.