By Joan Passarelli

Town Crier Correspondent

It’s a charity gala to benefit a worthy cause: a gourmet dinner and silent auction. It’s a wonderful event, with a twist - it’s organized by a high school senior.

Ashley Wright, 17, a senior at Pinewood High School, has put together the Nov. 16 event to benefit La Roca orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico.

“They need money for food, teaching supplies, everything,” she said.

Wright is president of the Interact service club at Pinewood and editor-in-chief of its newspaper.

Last year Wright’s club ran a “Jar War” at Pinewood, a competition to induce students to donate change, and raised $2,000 for La Roca.

“This year I made it my summer project to put this auction together,” said Wright. “My personal goal is to raise $20,000 for the orphanage.”

Starting in July, Wright began soliciting donations for her gala evening. Armadillo Willy’s, Bandera, the Hilton San Francisco and the Biltmore Hotel are just a few of the donors who were eager to join in.

Wright’s pastor, Rev. Kevin Phillips of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Mountain View, calls her the “Chairman of the Board.”

“Ashley has a can-do attitude, big visions and moxie,” said Phillips. “She really cares about people who don’t have money. She’s passionate about it.”

The dinner and silent auction are scheduled 6:30-11 p.m., Nov. 16, at Michael’s at Shoreline. Tickets are $50 each, available from Wright at 417-2059, ext. 4552 or Pat McCormick, 964-4830.