Mt. Hall Auction raises $29,000
New to town, Evergreen Elementary kindergarten teacher Michelle Woods and her husband, Brian, found many things to bid on during Saturday’s 11th Annual Mt. Hall Auction.
“I worked helping out and now I’m bidding,” said Woods, who moved here from Kansas this past summer. “There was some really good stuff, so why not spend money here to help out the school. We’ve had a great time.”
The event raised $29,000 before expenses for local schools and attracted more than 300 people.
The money will be split between Bonners Ferry and Riverside high schools, Boundary County Middle School and Naples, Evergreen, Valley View and Mt. Hall elementary schools.
Last year’s event raised a record-breaking $68,000, surpassing the previous high of $50,000.
“The event raised less money this year for a variety of reasons,” said Mt. Hall Principal Angela Armstrong. “Marty Becker wasn’t doing all the calls this year. He kind of retired from the auction. Also our economy isn’t in good shape, but people were still really generous.”
Becker, who is the official veterinarian for ABC’s “Good Morning American,” decided not to be as involved with the auction this year. He had the connections to get thing like tickets for American Idol, which sold for $210 last year. Becker also obtained four VIP tickets last year to a Los Angeles Lakers game, which went for $625.
Guy and Gayle Marks from Sandpoint were thrilled to find a log bed for $675.
“I’ve been looking at getting a new bed for a year and this one is really cool,” said Gayle Marks. “We’ve heard about this auction for years. It just worked out that we could come up for it this year.”
BFHS Parent Teacher Organization member Barb LePoidevin, who helped organize the event, thinks it went well.
“I was a greeter and I think we gave out around 180 bidder paddles,” said LePoidevin. “It was busy right up until 4:30. You would have 10 people leave, and there would be 10 more walk in. It was a constant flow of people until it got dark.”
“I think this community really pulls together to help the schools,” she continued. “The businesses in this town are just so generous. I’m so impressed with what they give. Hopefully this community will turn around, stay in town and keep business locally.”