BP Cancer Group auctions net $85K
Willa Bergler, 13, used 300 shotgun shells to make this creative piece depicting the American flag. The item sold for $500. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Amazing and unbelievable are two words that have historically been used to describe the results of Blooming Prairie Cancer Group fundraisers.
It happened again this year over a three-day period, with the Cancer Group’s two top fundraisers bringing in “beaucoup bucks.” Gun Bingo was held Thursday, Sept. 8, and the annual BP Cancer Group Auctions on Friday, Sept. 9, and Saturday, Sept. 10, all under the Big Tent next to the Cue Company.
Connie Trom, chair of the Gun Bingo event reported earnings of $29,000. She said 223 tickets were sold.
“We only had one ticket left,” she said.
Ten Bingo games and six gun raffles brought in more funds.
Auctions on Friday and Saturday saw 103 items auctioned each night.
“I just shake my head in disbelief,” Cheri Krejci said, expressing her appreciation for everyone who made the Paint the Town Pink a success once again.
Krejci said that all the numbers are not in, but it looks like the auctions alone raised over $55,000. Proceeds from the Prihoda raffle, the field of flags, Bingo, 50-50, and other donations need to be counted.
A popular item on Friday night was a wood carving done by former Blooming Prairie High School art teacher H. Peterson. The carving, a gnome, was sold for $475 with John Fouarge the winning bidder.
Karen Fouarge told her husband to buy the gnome for her.
“Don’t go over $200,” she told him–a bit less than he paid for the one-of-a-kind item.
On Saturday night, the item that drew the most interest was a donation of lumber for a 10-by-12-foot shed. The donation came from Geneva Lumber. Bill Rinkenberger’s shop class will construct the shed. Jared Smith placed the winning bid of $4,200.
Pastor Heidi Heimgartner’s famous cheesecake went for $300. Sue Helgeson’s famous raspberry white chocolate cheesecake was sold for $550. Judy Lestrud’s chocolate chip cookies, stuffed into three cookie jars, brought in $275 each night.
Gail Dennison of the Hormel Institute attended each night. She was given a special stained-glass creation made by Jessica Kruckeberg of Midwest Glass. The piece will be hung at the Institute.
Both night’s auctions went smoothly, said Krejci, BP Cancer Group treasurer. She praised the auctioneers for both nights: youngster Sonny Jensen, 18, of Albert Lea, and Steve Seykora on Friday, and Steve and Mark Ditlevson on Saturday.
Steve Hansen and Mike Trom were emcees on Friday night. Mike Trom and Paul and Hailey Tollefson did the honors on Saturday night.
Forty-nine auction bidders graciously donated $40 for parking passes, and 40 bidders gave $50 each for gas cards.
Winners of the Prihoda raffle were Ryan McCabe, $1,000; Joel Born, $300; and Dan Trom, $200.