BETHALTO, IL � Tickets are in high demand for one of the most anticipated charity events in the village. The Mayor's Dinner/Auction to benefit Autism Speaks and Special Olympics Illinois will be held at the Bethalto Knights of Columbus Hall Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30; the auction starts at 7:30.
Last year, nearly 600 people attended the inaugural event and virtually every ticket was sold. While tickets remain for this year's event, it's expected to bring another large turnout.
"We have an excellent selection of auction items," said Barb Shrader, a member of the committee and one of the coordinators of the event. "From smaller items to weekend and week-long getaways, private citizens, small business owners and larger corporations have provided a diverse collection of valuable donations."
Auction items already secured include St. Louis Cardinals baseball tickets, a Kurt Warner autographed Pro Bowl jersey, a baseball bat autographed by Philadelphia Phillies first baseman and St. Louis native Ryan Howard, other autographed collectibles, sports equipment, a Bethalto Homecoming entertainment package, an Illini package, a spa package, various restaurant packages, children's party packages, fun park and water park passes, condominium vacations, golf packages and more.
Shrader said that last year, there were more than 200 auction items at the event. More donations are expected and she's confident there will be a fine assortment from which to bid.
"We're still accepting items for the auction," said committee member Cindy Flack. "The response has been great so far, but we'd love to secure even more items than last year. All of the proceeds go toward such great causes."
The dinner auction was the largest fundraising event in the Charities Committees' series of events last year. More than $50,000 was raised at the auction. The success of the dinner auction, coupled with a golf tournament, torch run, and Mayor's Walk for Autism enabled the committee to contribute nearly $110,000 combined to the two benefitting organizations. The $50,000 contribution to Autism Speaks and the $59,000 donation to Special Olympics Illinois represented the largest single donations from any group in Illinois in 2008.
"The generosity of the residents of the village and the surrounding area was demonstrated in the fact that the Village Charities Committee's donations were the largest in the state," said Bethalto Mayor Steve Bryant. "The committee consists of many hard-working, dedicated individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for those who benefit from our efforts. And the support of local and regional businesses and corporations is overwhelming. Our record of success is really the result of the combined efforts of many."
Tickets are available by calling 377-0567. Donations are still being accepted at the same number. The final fundraising event of the 2009 Charities Committee fundraising series will be the Mayor's Walk for Autism scheduled for Oct. 4th at Culp Lane Park.
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