ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The eighth annual Mountain Auction, held on the St. Bonaventure University campus here, raised more than $30,000 for Mt. Irenaeus, bringing the eight-year total to more than $218,000. This year’s auction welcomed record attendance and was sold out a week in advance.
About 170 people attended the Nov. 1 event, which featured more than 200 gifts offered at a silent and live auction. Gifts ranged from small appliances, sports memorabilia and gift baskets, to weekend getaways.
The auction, held in Doyle Hall on the St. Bonaventure University campus, is an evening known for its refreshments, relaxation and rejoicing. Highlighting the verbal auction was a pair of blueberry pies, homemade by Daniel Hurley, OFM, from blueberries picked at the Mountain in West Clarksville, N.Y. This year’s pies sold for $900 and $500.
“The auction is always a special evening that brings together so many people who share a love for the Mountain,” said Margaret Bryner, chair of the Mountain Auction Committee. “It is truly inspiring to see the sense of community that is generated when our friends, alums and students do their part to make the auction enjoyable and successful.”
Joining Bryner in welcoming and thanking the crowd was Daniel Riley, OFM, director of Mt. Irenaeus.
More information about Mt. Irenaeus, including photos, event dates and a blog, is available on the ministry’s Web site, www.mounti.com. Shown in photo above with Dan Hurley is Mary Jane Telford, a long-time member of SBU’s administration.