How to Make $5000 in an Hour!

Thursday afternoon: Silent Auction for Stomp Out Cancer Week. 

Fifteen items were along the front of the stage, 

numbered and waiting their turn in the spotlight. 

The ballroom began filling with people at 2:00 PM. 

The wine bar and beer station were ready for customers. 

The only thing missing was the entertainment hired for the event! There was a miscommunication between the scheduler and the leader of the band. At 2:00 the leader was in Wickenburg and his instruments in Coolidge. He arrived about 2:45 and gave an a cappella performance, walking among the tables, taking requests.

At 3:45 Bill Utecht took the microphone and introduced his crew that would be working the live auction. The hit of the introductions was the arrival of the floor girls, riding atop kitchen carts, wearing classy, sexy, sparkly dresses.

The bidding started before Auctioneer Chuck got on the stage! 

It was a great fun start to the auction.

Chuck dressed all in black was ready to roll!

"Exercise Judy" showing one of the bid items.

Cathy in her sparkly dress, pushing her ride.

First item: the Kansas basket.

A "Bob Ross" painting was the second item.

The Minnesota basket was number three.

It is now at the Ehresmann house waiting to be opened.

This Canada basket was one of two donated for the auction.

World Span Tours donated 3 days/2 nights

in Laughlin for the auction.

Basket #6 came from residents from the 

Northeastern States.

The Michigan basket was item # 7.

Janice Meagher's quilt brought some fast and furious bidding.

Marge Raudstein was the proud winner of item #8.

A  second "Bob Ross" painting donated for the auction.

CV's Eighth Street residents put together a basket of their home 

state/province products. It brought the highest bid thus far

of the afternoon. 

(South Dakota began to sweat. In the past two years

the SD basket brought the highest bid. Could we possibly top $725?)

3 days/2 nights in Las Vegas donated by Tours 4 U

from former activity director, Julie.

Bid item #11

The second Canadian basket was item #12.

Dick Bailey donated the gorgeous handcrafted clock. 

This beautiful wooden cracker and cheese tray was

another hot item during the bidding.

A painting was removed from the KS basket and offered as another bid item.

Then it was time for the final item...the South Dakota baskets.

There were so many items, it took two baskets to hold it all.

It was hard to believe, but the SD baskets surpassed the high

bid of the Eighth Street basket. It sold for $800!

Tim, Judy Bendsten's nephew and Roger Taxdahl, 

both from WA pooled their funds for the purchase.

Live Auction totaled $5190.00

I want to thank everyone who donated  products from their home states for the live auction and the raffle. Bidding for the state baskets at the live auction is so much fun to watch and to participate. I want to thank all who bid on the auction items and to those who purchased any of the items. You are an amazing community. It has been a pleasure to be part of the cancer benefit these past five years.

Tomorrow the walk, the raffle, another silent auction and the luncheon honoring cancer survivors. Another Big Day!