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Fun-Raiser Energizes Holy Name’s Capital Campaign

There were a few skeptics among Holy Name’s Pastoral Council when Suzi Nyby and Karen Parks first presented their idea to have a Fun-Raiser with an auction. They were skeptical mostly of the timing. “What if we get all these wonderful gifts donated,” they questioned, “and nobody comes to the auction because they don’t have any money?” Thank God we gave the go-ahead to Karen and Suzi because, as it turned out, there were so many people at the auction that they could not all fit into the Main Lodge at Saddleback Ranch! We thought that 200 people would be the most that we could hope for and accommodate. But when we realized a week ahead of time that there were already 300 people registered, another kind of skepticism emerged. “We will not have room enough for everyone,” some thought. “We’d better say that it is sold-out!” When I mentioned this to Wayne Iacovetto he simply said, “There’s 7000 acres on this ranch. That ought to be enough room for them all to find a seat!” And that they did.

They gathered on a sunny hillside overlooking Trout Creek Valley and celebrated the Eucharist as hawks hovered high above the altar. Then they perused the 50 Silent Auction items, which ended up raising $5,620. A dinner of barbecue beef and pulled pork was served with fixings to about 350 people. Then Cookie Lockhart, the auctioneer, ascended a step ladder in the doorway from which she could get the attention of those both in and outside the dining room. And get their attention she did, before she even opened her mouth, by her gold cowboy hat with its flamboyant bow, her glitzy glasses and her leopard-printed dress. When her auctioneer’s voice thundered through the crowd their bids sprang forth with lightning excitement. The 15 items that she auctioned off gained $23,750 for the new church. Then I told the crowd that we have the opportunity to purchase a set of bells with four pitches (CFGA) for our bell tower. The crowd raised $12,100 for a down payment to reserve the bells. So the total amount that was raised for the auction items and the bells was $41,470! Additional funds collected as donations and for food and drinks totaled $4,843. So the total gross income from this Fun-Raiser was $46,313. The event truly lived up to its name because everybody had a great time, especially when the bluegrass band, Ragweed, began picking, grinning, strumming and sawing. They had the crowd dancing under the moon and starlight until the coyotes begged for some quiet!

Such a Fun-Raiser required the help of countless people, many of whom I am not even aware. But I invite the parishioners of Holy Name to join me in thanking the following people who played a special role in making this event such a smashing success:

Suzi Nyby and Karen Parks: Co-Directors of the Auctions
Wayne, Luanna & Justin Iacovetto: Ranch Hosts Food Providers & Chefs
Kevin Kaminski of B.& K. Distributing. Inc.: Beer and Wine Provider
Donna Kerr, Mary Effinger & Karen Deline, accountants
Thane & Diane Anderson & Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp.: tents
Knights of Columbus, equipment transport
Everyone who helped with food set-up and clean-up
Betsy Johnston & Carol Ward, office support
Cookie Lockhart, auctioneer
Barb Shipley, Cookie’s assistant
Nick Metzler & Tom Fox, spotters
Music Ministers: Maureen Hogue, Yvette Look, Mary Beth Norris, Lisa-Marie Baker, Justin Doerr, Luci Franklin, Cole Pollard
Bob Subr, sound technician
Bob Dapper, wrangler
ALL THOSE WHO DONATED GIFTS TO THE AUCTIONS
ALL THOSE WHO BOUGHT AUCTION ITEMS

You are all angels whom God is using to nourish our journey to a new church. Thank You!!!

Fr. Ernest Bayer

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