San Benito County United Way chapter members and their guests
declared war on the recession at the third Winter Extravaganza
Saturday, and in matter of a few hours raised more than $21,000 for
charity
– the most ever raised at the event,
San Benito County United Way chapter members and their guests declared war on the recession at the third Winter Extravaganza Saturday, and in matter of a few hours raised more than $21,000 for charity – the most ever raised at the event.
“This was the biggest and the best that we ever did,” said chapter president Dee Hone, giving credit to spirited auctioneer Addie Bakich for motivating people to reach deep into their pockets during the live auction at San Juan Oaks.
“She was excellent,” Hone said. “She knew what to do.”
Within minutes, Bakich spurred a major bidding war between Steve Walden of Milgard Windows and Graniterock’s Tom Squeri for a Christmas tree decorated by San Benito Street Flowers. Walden out-bid Squeri and paid $2,000.
Community Pantry Executive Director Tom Larkin smiled every time the bid was raised.
However, it was not the only Christmas tree up for auction. Squeri found himself in another bidding war with former Hollister resident Marilyn Darby, who was in town on business.
Determined, Squeri raised his bid to $1,900. “Going once, do I hear $2,000?” Bakich urged. “Going twice, $1,950, anybody give me $1,950? Sold! What a steal for $1,900!”
Rose Ann Woolpert bid $550 on a classic car picnic drive in the country and won.
“It’s amazing how much money people are willing to give,” she said. “You’d never know there was a recession going on.”
Other big moneymakers to help United Way were dinner packages offered by Tres Pinos Inn, DeMaggio’s and a Croatian dinner for eight at the Hidden Valley home of Lou and Barbara Andres. That went to Jerry Muenzer for $1,100.
“The pressure is on now for Lou to cook a good meal,” laughed Carrie Lorincz, treasurer for the local United Way chapter.
Lorincz said the community was supportive, including people who had not been active in the past.
“We had such a broad base support from the community,” she said. “We raised almost 50 percent more money than last year when we made $13,000 on the auction.”
The silent auction was a hodgepodge of goods, many of which were considered great Christmas gifts.
“I’m doing my Christmas shopping,” said Doris Squeri, admitting she had not even begun her holiday shopping. “This is a great way to do it,” she laughed.
Among the silent auction items were a wheelbarrow filled with beer that collected $175, a gift basket from San Juan Bautista merchants that went for $120 and a patriotic afghan flag made by Irene Grimes that brought $120.
Hone said all the items that were donated were “hot.”
“Everything donated was awesome,” she said. “We had a lot of hot items, a lot of fun things, too.”
Seemingly easy, it was the audience who made the difference between making money for charity or just sitting and not participating.
“I had an auction last week and I couldn’t get them going,” Bakick said. “These people are great. They’re ready to spend their money.”
“Addie has such an incredible reception from the audience,” Hone said. “And the audience – they were fantastic. They truly are going to make a difference helping us reach our goal, which we were pretty shaky reaching it last year.”
Hone said for two consecutive years the United Way has raised $105,000, but this year members raised the bar to $120,000.
“Hopefully this year we will make it,” she said.
Though members decided earlier to sell fewer tickets, more than 200 were sold.
“People are realizing this event serves a particular cause,” Hone said.
“Everything was awesome. The crowd stayed and danced till midnight – an awesome evening. We had awesome items and made awesome money.”
