Mission Status: Successful!
Official Press Release: May 13, 2010 (click here for pdf version)
St. Paul Auction Raises $110,000 for School
(Farmington, Mo.) – St. Paul Lutheran School in Farmington’s 15th-annual fund-raising auction and dinner was held Saturday, May 1, at the school. The theme was 2010: A Heavenly Odyssey (Taking a spiritual and educational journey.) Every classroom on the main floor was transformed into silent auction rooms with planetary names, while the gymnasium served as the planetarium – housing all the live auction items as well as dinner tables. A 3-dimensional projected earth hovered and revolved over the stage while music played, and videos of St. Paul students entertained the 400+ crowd. Colored lights and dangling planets completed the space theme.
More than 1,000 items were on the auction block this year, with about 900 of those items in the silent auction rooms. Attendees floated between rooms, while the gravitational fields around their favorite items pulled them back to raise the bids until the rooms closed in five-minute intervals. The hearty space explorers won the bids.
“We were amazed at the number of items donated this year,” commented auction chairperson Heather Garner. “It was a record – with items from $5 to $500 in the silent auction. The class display that included the custom-made clubhouse parked on the school lot was a highly sought-after item, and it sold for $6100.”
With the economy in a state of flux and many businesses and families experiencing financial difficulties, the auction committee had conservatively hoped for any amount over $50,000 for the final donation to the school.
“Several faithful supporters of the school could not even buy tickets to the event this year due to financial hardships,” stated assistant chairperson Julie Powers, “and some of our loyal attendees had schedule conflicts this year that kept them away. Even with these hiccups, the auction ended up being (accidentally) oversold by two tables, and we raised almost twice as much as our goal.”
After all the bills are paid, the net amount being donated to the school will be approximately $110,000. The official check presentation will take place during the awards assembly on the last day of school (Friday, May 21).
“We are ecstatic about the success of the event this year,” Garner said. “Our prayers were answered, and now the school should have enough extra funds to cover the expenses associated with upgrading the computer lab, buying some science equipment, and offering tuition assistance to St. Paul students. The final decision on how to spend the money will be made by the Board of Education.”
The special drawing was held immediately after dinner and before auctioneer Brad Detring took the stage. The grand prize winner was Tom Burcham who kept the $2500 shopping spree to Krekeler Jewelers but generously donated the $2500 cash prize back to the school. The second place winners were Howard and Mary Ann Klepzig, and St. Paul alum Carl Cook won the third-place prize.
The full 2010 auction program is still available online at www.stpaulauction.com and will be available for viewing until the 2011 auction theme is confirmed and the new web site takes its place.
St. Paul Lutheran School is wrapping up its 135th year of operation, currently educating 215 students in the 2009-2010 school year. Students come from Farmington, Park Hills, Desloge, Bonne Terre, Fredericktown, Ironton, Ste. Genevieve and Perryville . While the majority (60%) of students are Lutheran, the student population also represents more than 12 other church homes. Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is now open. While the auction is over for 2010, individuals or businesses who wish to make donations to the school may do so by calling (573) 756-5147.
