After a two-year hiatus, supporters of St. Patrick Catholic Church resumed their annual gala banquet and live auction Saturday night and set a new fundraising record with more than $42,000 raised.
After a cocktail hour and buffet meal from the Lidderdale Country Store, with plenty of time for browsing more than four dozen silent-auction items, the live auction started about 7:15 p.m. in the St. Pat’s gym.
Twenty-eight items went on the live-auction block, and 28 donors were thanked for their generosity, with donations ranging from signed athletic gear and tickets to games to large portions of meat and a free night at a casino.
Raffle items included one year’s tuition at St. Pat’s School and $1,000 in Perry Bucks.
The O’Malley Award was bestowed upon Mike and Connie Wilson of Perry, who were thanked for their unstinting work on behalf of St. Patrick Church and School.
Several talented young artists entertained the audience during the gala, with Olivia Christensen and Isaiah Christensen praised for their piano playing.
