Boys & Girls Club auction raises a record $257,567

Last weekend's Boys & Girls Club auction raised a record $275,567.

"This community never ceases to amaze me with its generosity," said club Chief Professional Officer Hal Hansen. "We had people donating items for our auction right up to the start of the event."

The total paid for hundreds of items from boats and cars to spa and dinner packages is nearly $50,000 more than the $226,000 raised last year. The auction is the club's biggest annual fund-raiser with proceeds dedicated to its daily operations and is a substantial percentage of the annual $1.6 million budget.

Development Director Kristie Traver said part of the total raised came from the 900 tickets sold to participants for $100 to $250 apiece.

She said when organizers this year asked participants to "Stand Up for Kids," and pledge at least $500 to sponsor a child membership at the club, they offered up a total of $29,100.

The white convertible 1979 VW Beetle sold for $11,000 and a 1929 Chevrolet sedan for $9,000. An antique pinball machine went for $2,500 and a professional pool table for $1,750.

Some of the more creative items also went over well with the crowd. The dinner with Carson City firemen - "Firemen never let dinner burn" - sold for $1,500 and dinner in the Carson jail - "A get into jail free card" - for $1,750.

Hansen also thanked sponsors including Carson City Entertainment and Capital Beverages for their support.

As the auction ended Saturday, Hansen announced to the crowd that the club will break ground Oct. 14 on its new building on Lompa Lane. The building will be constructed in several phases and cost about $2.5 million.

Phase one will contain 12,500 square feet - nearly double the existing facility. When completed, it will have a total of about 40,000 square feet including a full gymnasium and cafeteria to serve the more than 1,600 youngsters who participate in activities.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.