The “Fiesta! Mexico by the Bay” auction raised $225,000 on Saturday evening, March 31. Generous AHN fiesta goers bid on items that ranged from six nights in the Sonoma Valley to beautifully made gifts donated by lower school teachers and students.
Auction coordinators transformed the Brady Center into a Mexican fiesta for all guests to enjoy. The night kicked off with the Patron Party, exclusively reserved for extremely generous donors, which began at 6 pm with a mariachi band from Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant. The buffet for all guests, who included Academy friends, staff, and parents of students ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, opened at 7 pm. Activities included a silent auction, Golden Ticket drawing, live auction, and dancing for all to enjoy.
Mrs. JoAnne Linkner, Director of Annual Fund and Special Events, said, “The By-the-Bay Auction is the only Academy function that incorporates not only elementary and high school families but alumni, the Sisters of the Holy Names, past parents and extended AHN family as well. It’s a huge community-building event with a huge agenda – to raise as much money as we can in support of the Annual Fund. And we do it in a fun, exciting atmosphere that is inviting to all of our Academy family members.”
Other popular items included tickets to award winning shows and sports events, fun activities with teachers, beauty treatments, elevator passes, prime parking spaces, the opportunity to be featured in the school calendar, and much, much more!
Funds raised from the auction go towards increasing the technology program and funding educational development opportunities. New technology proves crucial in staying updated and modernized in the community.
President Mr. Arthur Raimo said in the introduction to the auction brochure, “This year’s fund-an-item will help bring about one of our major technology initiatives- one-to-one computing. Having fingertip access to new technology will open new worlds for our students and will begin to transform instruction at Academy. Your generosity will assist in making this goal a reality.”
Academy Ambassadors assisted the coordinators of the event by answering the guests’ questions about the items and demonstrating the use of the Bidpal, the device used throughout the night to bid on items.
