GILBERTSVILLE PA – You could measure the depth of competitiveness in their eyes.

Several hundred people, the vast majority of them women, went basket-shopping Friday night (March 16, 2012) during the 13th annual YWCA Tri-County Area basket party fund-raiser at the Gilbertsville (PA) Fire Company hall. Armed with tickets they purchased from the Y, they chose their favorites (above) from more than 160 different themed baskets filled with goods and prizes donated by local merchants.

Shoppers validated their choices (left) by tossing one or more of their numbered tickets into the bins beside each basket. Those who REALLY wanted a particular basket demonstrated their eagerness by adding a couple of extra tickets, then furtively glanced around to see if anyone near them did the same.

The rest was a matter of luck and chance as winning tickets were drawn at random from each bin, so it’s unknown whether stuffing the box had any positive effect.

More than 160 basket-toting people left happy, though, and so too … for the most part … did everyone else in attendance. There was plenty of laughter, conversation and food during the evening, and among the most pleased may have been YWCA Executive Director Andrea Primas (at center, below) and her staff members and volunteers, who successfully raised thousands of dollars to benefit the organization’s programs and services.

• See additional photos at The Post‘s Facebook album, here.