Photograph by Jeff Kearns
Sophomore Dan Garappolo, junior Claire Sternberg (middle) and Michelle Kemp play with a yet unnamed dog that was an auction item.
Athletic boosters feast and bid to buy high schoolers' gear, etc.
By Leigh Ann Maze
Upholding a longstanding Saratoga High School tradition, the SHS Athletic Boosters Club held its 20th annual fundraising auction on May 21, at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event raised $163,000 this year compared to $125,000 last year. All proceeds go to the boosters club to help support boys and girls sports at SHS and Redwood Middle School.
In the past the club purchased new equipment, uniforms and medical supplies and provided funding for the schools to hire assistant coaches and an athletic trainer. The proceeds from last year's auction funded improvements to the SHS weight room and contributed to the new Olympic-size pool now under construction.
The 380 guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, beverages and a silent auction on the patio at the Mt. Winery. Later, a gourmet dinner was served in the concert bowl, and guests had the opportunity to participate in a live auction. Student volunteers displayed items that were up for auction to the guests.
Auction items ranged from T-shirts, restaurant gift certificates, dinner with Saratoga firefighters and bottles of wine to ski weekends, vacations, golf packages, sports memorabilia and tickets. Many local businesses, groups and individuals donated items to the auction.
A puppy was sold for $3,300, and a day spent bottling your own wine at Cinnabar Winery sold for $12,000, according to Sandy Lewis, chairwoman for the event.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
