Sarasota Silent Auction Nets

$44,000 with 425 Attending

By Thomas L. Weitzel

LSF Communications

13 October 2009

The 14th Annual Sunset Silent Auction brought in proceeds of more than $44,000 for the Sarasota and Venice Guardianship programs of Lutheran Services Florida.  Over 425 people attended the event, held at the Chelsea Center on Oct. 10.

"In spite of the economy, we increased our sponsorships by $6,000," said LSF Guardianship Director Anne Ridings, "and we received more auction items donated to us than any other year."

A total of 325 auction items were up for bid this year, which was 67 more items than last year, said Ridings.

"People thought that the program really needed it this year," said Carmen Scoma, an LSF Board member and part of the organizing team for the annual Silent Auction.  "People were really gracious."

The final net figure of $44,037 was about $6,000 more than last year.

"That is in large part due to all the hard work of our [planning] committee and volunteers," said Ridings.  "I want to thank everyone for their hard work helping with the event."

Thanks as well go to the many individual and corporate donors and sponsors and to those who attended the event and participated in the auction.

Members of the planning committee organizing the Silent Auction were: 

Steve Bloom, Carmen Scoma of All Stat Home Health, Charla Burchett of Charla M. Burchett, Mary Sander of Comerica, Michelle Saing of Evercare, Sandy Lange of A Better Solution of Sarasota, Kathy Hoonhout of Coldwell Banker, Danielle Valery of Beneva Lakes Healthcare & Rehab, Vicki Viccora of NV Event Planner, Susan Powter of Liberty Reverse Mortgage, Michael Juceam of Right at Home, Jan Damielio of Harmony Healthcare, Terry McNeil of Merrill Gardens, Pauline Cook of Savannah Grand, Lisa Misura and Lana Shells of Springwood, Richard Veleber of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Denise Dellutri and Amber Grimm of Family Home Health, Pat Zagony of Palmer Ranch Healthcare, Assisted Living & Memory Care, Valarie Kandel, Jim Lyons of Affinity Home Care, Kim Deleo of Heron House, Patti McConnell of Caldwell Trust Company, Andrew Burke of Granny Nannies, and Cindy Frost.  LSF Staff: Anne Ridings, Melissa Earle, Kathleen Boyle. Nancy Chupp, Sheila Garbade, Valerie Morris, Danielle Dillen, Sarah Tedder

For a complete PHOTO GALLERY of the event, click here.

For a list of event sponsors, click here to see the event brochure.

To read the press release announcing the event, click here.

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