ALLEGANY, N.Y. — A packed crowd and spirited bidding combined to create a successful 2009 Mountain Auction to benefit Mt. Irenaeus.
Proceeds from the Nov. 7 auction on the St. Bonaventure University campus helped push the nine-year total raised by the auction above the $250,000 mark.
Of the $30,000 raised this year, $5,000 came in the form of a matching grant from Holy Name Province and Holy Peace Friary.
“The auction is always an amazing event, where so many of the Mountain’s friends come together to support the special community that is Mt. Irenaeus,” said Margaret Bryner, chair of the Auction Committee. “It is humbling and gratifying to join together in celebration and ‘begin anew,’” referencing the theme of the recent 25th anniversary celebration of the Franciscan Mountain Retreat.
The auction features an evening with more than 200 gifts, most offered by silent auction and a select few in an exciting, fast-moving verbal auction. Gifts — donated to the auction by friends of the Mountain — range from small appliances, sports memorabilia and gift baskets to weekend getaways.
One of the most popular items in the verbal portion of the auction continues to be the famous Blueberry Hurley Pie, baked by Daniel Hurley, OFM, with Mountain-grown blueberries. Dan’s two pies each garnered $650 following lively bidding.
Proceeds from the Mountain Auction add to the Mt. Irenaeus endowment and support the ministry’s general operating fund.
In addition to Dan Hurley, the friars who attended the auction were F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, of St. Bonaventure University, and Mt. Irenaeus residents Louis McCormick, OFM, Kevin Kriso, OFM, Joseph Kotula, OFM, Harry Monaco, and Robert Struzynski, OFM. Mt. Irenaeus director Daniel Riley, OFM, is away on sabbatical.
Details about the Mountain’s events can be found on its Web site.
— Beth Eberth, St. Bonaventure University’s director of university communications, is a member of the Mt. Irenaeus Auction Committee.