Chairs for Charity 2013 was held Saturday,
January 26, 2013 at the San Andreas Town Hall.
Attendees were treated to a delicious buffet dinner served by the Pickle
Patch and had the opportunity to purchase artistic creations via Live and
Silent Auctions. A no-host bar was available
as well as several high-value raffle basket items.
Every artist, community group, non-profit
entity and individual who entered his or her “creations” is to be thanked over
and over again. Looking at the unique, finished items left little doubt that
hours and hours of time and effort and expense went into each and every entry
--- We thank you! The students from
Oakendell were invaluable to us.
Transporting 33 items from the Gallery to the Town Hall was a big job.
Then they set up the tables and chairs also.
Our distinguished judges had a difficult chore in choosing the ten that
would go into the Live Auction – thank you judges. Our media contacts were there for us, as always. In January, there were articles or photos
nearly every week.
And to those who came, participated and took
a chair (or item) home, we thank you too.
The hosts, Calaveras County Arts Council (CAC) and Soroptimist
International of Calaveras County (SICC), are indebted to the “whiz-bang,”
loveable, laughable auctioneering antics and talents of Mindi Bach during the
Live Auction. Bringing each creator on
stage to explain how their “creation” came to be, added interest, laughter and
fun. Bidders from all corners of the
room were raising their hands to participate --- and ten Live Auction bidders
took home that special chair or item to adorn their homes, offices or
patios. And as if that weren’t enough,
23 Silent Auction items attracted a goodly amount of attention. The highlight of the evening was the special
donation by Ed and Susan Rich of their private home in Las Cruces, New Mexico,
for up to a 2-week stay. Two lucky bidders each took a week making this
donation the highest money-getter of the evening.
Artists and community groups receive 40% of
what their item brought. Bottom line
profits are divided between SICC and CAC. Those funds filter right back into
the Calaveras County communities from CAC with art/music related events like
Artists in the Schools, Arts Resource Center, Ovations Performing Arts Series
and Music in the Parks. SICC provides
monetary and recognition awards to young women and youth, partners with Mark
Twain Medical Center to sponsor the blood screening tests held in April and
May, provides the Teddy Bear Tea in November and has held the Frog Jump Youth Parade
for the past 66 years!
We would be amiss also, if we didn’t thank
our own groups’ members and volunteers. It seemed that all in attendance had a
good time, and we thank every single person who had a hand in allowing the
Calaveras County residents to enjoy an evening out while enjoying our very
unique Chairs for Charity event for 2013.
For more information about either group, please visit the
websites: www.sicalaverascounty.org or www.calaverasarts.org.