Finding fun ways to raise funds

La Reina goes under the Big Top

By Cate Brown
News Chronicle

Article published Thursday, November 11, 1993

Joseph A. Garcia/Staff Photographer

Circus atmosphere: Above, Parents of students enjoy the circus decoration. Below, Randall Harold of Moorpark entertains the crowd at La Reina High School's annual silent auction and dinner.

     The "sawdust trail" ran right up to La Reina High School's multipurpose building Saturday night and to the parent council's Big Top charity auction.

     Hundreds of parents, students and friends armed with checkbooks, cash or a ready credit card, mobbed the big top. Partygoers had come prepared to shop for the unique gifts, bargains and special services offered at the school's 10th annual buying spree.

     Clowning around at the door were ninth-graders Kelly Maestri and Joanna Arancon, who greeted the arriving throng dressed in striped costumes and greasepaint.

     "These are tough economic times, but we have people coming from all over to support the school." said Sister Lisa Megaffin. La Reina's principal. "This year we have the largest crowd we've ever had. People like to donate to the auction because they know that every bit. of the money stays right here in the school."

     A member of the order of the Sisters of' Notre Dame. Sister Lisa was assisted by other members of the order who also are La Reina staff members, sisters Joan Schlotfeldt and Anna Maria Vasquez.

     Early arrivals at the auction, where thousands of balloons gave the gym a circus atmosphere, were newlyweds Patricia Adrian and Terry Fishman.

     Kathleen and Dan McLaughlin, founders of the school's first auction 10 years ago, chatted about the original event with Mary Alice and Mike Reyburn.

     "It was at Howard Johnson's and we only brought in about $7,000," recalled Kathleen. "As I remember we served peanuts for dinner and that was about all."

     It was anything but peanuts this year. On the evening's menu were listed three entrees plus a variety of desserts, including brandy apple cake, carrot cake and Texas chocolate cake.

     As for the auction's outcome, Parent Council treasurer Bill Soukup estimated the yield at nearly $71,000 in gross receipts.

     Assuring that this year's shoppers would also receive a steady supply of peanuts and popcorn, however, were 10th-graders Jenny Quiros, Vicki Hull, Sami Conroy, Christa Hudson and Michelle Bartlett, who worked the crowds as popcorn clowns.

     The walls were lined with dozens of tables covered with hundreds of auction items. And what couldn't fit in the main gym spilled over into adjacent rooms.

     Fortifying themselves before the heavy competition set in were Alan and Devra Shapiro, Bill and Judi Irwin, and Larry and Shari Weiss, shoppers who had decided to eat first, bid later.

     Also taking a break from the bidding game were Alike and Susan Metcalf and Paul and Ellen Turk, who tucked into the lemon herb chicken and the brandied tri-tip before tackling the auction tables.

     "I don't know where they get such great ideas," exclaimed Maureen Ganley, who was delighted by the evening's ambiance. "I've been here for each auction and every year it get's better. "

     She and her husband, Ed Ganley, had already bid on various vacation getaways as well as a painting or two before sitting down for dinner. Dining with them was her aunt, Dorothy Bendick, who was visiting from Long Island. N.Y.

     Ringside for the auction were Pat and Bud Sweeney, who had bought the best table in the house on the live auction the previous year.

     Joining the Sweeneys for the three-ring circus was Conejo Valley Unified School District board president Mildred Lynch and her husband. Bob Lynch.

     Also seated at the premier table were Pat and Ed Henjyoji and Carl and Nancy Wesely.

     Sentimental favorite for the evening was the 4-week-old springer spaniel puppy donated by Mary Jo and Tom Flood. The tiny ball of black and white fluff brought in $500 at the auction and was purchased by John and Paula Kruer. Taking him home was another story. The puppy won't be ready to leave its mother for several weeks.

     And that's a large part of what makes a charity auction so enormously popular. Not only does the contribution go to the buyer's choice of worthy causes and is in part tax deductible, and not only do people crave shopping, but the real appeal lies in the imaginative offerings of unique and unusual gift items made available.

     Where else but La Reina's auction could Linda and John Patrick and Sharon Bell have purchased $1,800 worth of front-row seating for La Reina's 1994 graduation ceremonies?

     How about an upper lot parking place for your daughter who has only seconds to spare to get to class? Heidi Heidel now has a spot reserved in her name, thanks to parents Tim and Mary Heidel who drove away in the bidding with the winning $125.

     Then there were John and Janie Armstrong who left other bidders in the dust when they stole their very own parent parking place for only $75.

     Marisella and Cruz Quiros popped for an autographed hockey puck, Carol Dyer will be going to Piccadilly Circus aboard British Airways, Jerry and Delcina Anderson are heading for Big Bear, and Francis and Rebecca Aliverte snapped up the football with Notre Dame's Lou Holtz' autograph.

     Seen in the buffet line were Shirley and Bruce Bauman, Vicki and Mike Foxworthy, Sandy and Bill Humphrey, and Bonnie and John Bell.

     La Reina student volunteers serving dinner included 12th-graders Silia Leamy, Katie Conway, Carol Maloney and Theresa Solis.

     Also among the crowd of auction volunteers that brought the circus to town were Sandi Stutzman, Rachel Gottlieb, Debi Aquino, Paula Soukup, Chris Hudson and ringmaster Joe Laraneta.