SPRING 2007 AUCTION
RAISES $22,000 FOR PTA
By Maryanne Buechner, 1st grade/Pre-K Parent
Photos By Nathalie Schueller, 1st grade/Pre-K Parent
From the Bargemusic stage, Claire Mirarchi of the Brooklyn Heights Association motions to her colleague and co-honoree Judy Stanton. Auction attendees paid tribute to the two women's efforts in support of P.S. 8.
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The P.S. 8 Parent Teacher Association's first annual auction benefit was a big success, raising an estimated $22,000 after expenses. The March 14 event, held in Bargemusic's floating venue docked at Brooklyn's Fulton Ferry landing, drew 130 attendees, including Principal Seth Phillips, NYC Councilman David Yassky and the two honorees of the evening: Judy Stanton and Claire Mirarchi of the Brooklyn Heights Association, two individuals who have been instrumental in the school's resurgence. PTA Co-President Diane Miller read a letter from Mayor Michael Bloomberg acknowledging the "incredible things" that the Robert Fulton School has accomplished in the last couple of years, "overcoming adversity to become a sought-after magnet school."
Musical entertainment began with a violin solo by Bargemusic's own Mark Peskanov. For the rest of the evening, P.S. 8 parent Jeff Newel played alto saxophone accompanied by Tricia Woods on piano and Tom Hubbard on bass. Bidders sipped wine donated by The River Cafe and nibbled on fish cakes and other finger food provided by several local restaurants, including Alan Harding's Pacifico and Schnack, as well as Henry's End, Ici and Bacchus.
Winning bids for the silent auction items--everything from handcrafted cutting boards by Glen Oxton, who has two daughters in the school, to tennis lessons and other professional services--ranged from $50 to $1,000, with one notable exception: a framed burn drawing by P.S. 8 parent Davide Cantoni went for $1,400. Lawson Harris and Michael Feigin, who served as the event's live auctioneers, also donated a series of 10 private Pilates sessions at their Fitness Guru studio in Dumbo, which drew a top bid of $950. Nancy Webster doubled her offer of a NY Harbor sail to accommodate two bidders, raising $550. First-grade parent Carolanne Patterson made the decorative candle covers sporting photos of PS 8 students and teachers.
"Putting together the auction was a lot of fun and very gratifying because so many parents contributed in so many different, creative ways," says Agnes Krup, who organized the event with Joyce Farley, her co-chair on the PTA Fundraising Committee. Adds Farley: "It was a wonderful evening. The exciting live auction, enthusiastic participants and lovely weather made the night."
Posted on: April 14, 2007
