Sierra Madre School Auction Rakes In More Than $60,000 to Use Toward 'Making a Difference'

The theme of this year's was "Making a Difference." And make one they will, after the school’s very successful auction and dinner last Saturday, March 26, held once again at La Salle High School in Pasadena. It was the auction’s 10th anniversary, and the event has become a community tradition. The final accounting is not yet available, but it will "safely top $60,000,” according to three-peat auction chair Lisa Brault.

“With all of the budget cuts, and larger classroom sizes, we put out a call this year for volunteers, inside and outside the classroom,” Brault said. “And our parents stepped up to the plate. Truly, what sets our school above the rest is the parent involvement and the commitment, within the school and within the community, to do what it takes to make a difference and give our children the amazing education that they deserve."

When asked about outstanding donors, Brault said with a laugh, “Donors? Everyone! We have a tremendous staff, from our wonderful principal to the custodian, who truly care about our school and our kids. It is what inspires our parents to do their part. It is what inspires me to do all that I can for our school. You know, there is not one donor that stands out above the rest; what makes the success of our auction is that so many donors, school and community, come together to make it an amazing event: … restaurants and smaller businesses throughout Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre, as well as our school family.”

More than 200 silent auction baskets lined table after table of categorized, tantalizing bidding options, which were all coordinated and scannable for efficient checkout and accounting. Some of the evening’s attendees playfully planted bids on their spouses and on staff.

Teachers and staff pitched in with lunches and outings with students, from ice cream to rock climbing. Parents worked with each classroom to create art vases from each class. Other art ranged from kindergarten fingerprints to beautiful fifth grade mosaics. The service club created colorful stepping stones for the silent auction.

Plastering the walls were restaurant, home improvement and entertainment gift certificates from a variety of businesses.  A first time attendee who asked not to be named was overwhelmed with the choices.  “I knew everyone had really pitched in to make this year a success, but I really had no idea how big a deal this was!”

A favorite bidding item is the parent/teacher softball game scheduled for later this spring. Twelve winning bids will pit SME parents against their favorite teachers for a friendly game of ball on June 4 .

Sponsor Sierra Madre Rotary Club had several enthusiastic members in attendance, including Sierra Madre Police Chief Marilyn Diaz, Dan Alle and Dr. Hanne Rechtschaffen, the 2008 auction co-chair. City council members Josh Moran and John Buchanan also attended.

Auction chair Brault made a point to recognize the efforts of all-around auction volunteer Julie Flad; Mimi Young (baskets); Yolanda Willits (classroom art and table centerpieces made by the classrooms); Lynne Levin-Guzman (Procurement); Denny Barry (DJ); and Live Auctioneer, Al Nocita, a former PTA president who has been involved with the event since its 2001 inception.

Funds from the auction go directly into the Annual Fund, according to Brault. “Last year’s auction proceeds went to fund staff training, science and technology programs, health and safety services, performing and visual arts education and many more programs that would otherwise have been eliminated," she said. "This year's money will similarly fund those programs based on the priorities designated by our principal and School Site Council.”

Only one sad note colored the evening:  Last week, beloved principal Gayle Bluemel announced her retirement at the end of the school year. “It was time,” Bluemel said with a smile.