Mitchell Christian auction raises $119,000, second-best total ever

Mitchell Christian’s annual auction is designed to boost the school’s general fund, but Deb Kirkpatrick had a dual purpose for being there Saturday.

Not only did she want to help the school where her two children attend classes, but she also found items to replace belongings she lost in a fire a month ago in Mitchell.

Kirkpatrick placed winning bids on a couple of small shelves and a large silk floral display.

“I’m trying to get knick-knacks for my daughter so she has a place to start collecting again,” she said.

The 26th annual auction drew roughly 2,600 items from 500 to 600 parents, relatives, alumni and the community, said Todd Tegethoff, cochairman for the two-day event that started Friday.

The auction raised about $119,000 for Mitchell Christian’s general fund, half of which is supported by tuition, he said. That is the school’s second highest total. By late morning, $54,000 was raised. A running total was kept on the scoreboard in the gym.

“If we top $100,000, it will be a good year,” Tegethoff said before the proceeds were counted. “It is the largest fundraiser we have. It is crucial. It’s the way Mitchell Christian will survive without increasing the tuition beyond some people’s means.”

Several area auctioneers volunteered their time to lead bids on items, which ranged from furniture and baked goods to tickets for Schmeckfest in Freeman. As much as 2,500 items were auctioned off, Tegethoff said.

Some classes even organized packages for the auction. Silent auctions took place hourly on the gym’s north wall.

Vicky Graves, whose two sons are alums, entered a bid on a Christmas basket, among other items. But what she really wanted was a year’s worth of haircuts from Hollywood Style.

“I just started going back there again and I love how she did my hair,” she said.

While the package was valued at $255, it was sold for $460. Sadly, Graves didn’t get it.

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