Pacelli aims to match 100 years with $100K

As a nod to its 100th anniversary, Pacelli Catholic Schools hopes to raise $100,000 at its Celebration of the Century Benefit Auction this year.

The event, which places scores of items for sale to raise money for Pacelli, takes place Saturday evening at St. Edward’s Corcoran Center. Events start with the silent auction at 4:30 p.m., followed by a welcome address and dinner. A performance by the Pacelli Singers will follow, along with a dessert auction. The rest of the night is dedicated to the live auction, organized by category.

Christine Frederick, auction director, said items up for auction come from Pacelli families, local businesses and, increasingly, alumni.

“We got quite a few donations from past students,” she said.

Prizes include a Beer of the Month Club membership, diamond jewelry and a night at Target Field with Father Steffes, watching the Twins play. Others are getaway trips, such as a weekend excursion to Wisconsin Dells. One is a four-day trip offered by Jeff and LeeAnn Ettinger to Sonoma, Calif., to tour wine country, take in the scenery and enjoy a spa. Often, these items are some of the most popular.

“It seems like these experiences are what people go for,” Frederick said.

Art done by Pacelli students will be among the auctioned items.

Several special events take place along the way, including a “wine pull,” where guests can place $20 on drawing a random bottle of wine from a collection. The result could be a rare vintage or a low-cost brand, all based on chance. There will also be a segment focused on fixing up one particular aspect of the school. This year’s focus is flooring. How many phases of the project get done this year depend on how much money comes in.

“We try to raise money to start that project,” Frederick said.

At the end of the night, the total money raised will go toward the school’s general fund, which in turn spends it on scholarships, textbooks, technology and other school needs, Frederick said.

“We kind of depend on it every year to get some of those items,” she said.

Frederick, who was assistant director of last year’s benefit auction, put together this year’s auction with help from her husband, Michael, as well as Robyn and Ryan Bickler.

A ticket is required, Frederick said. About 200 people are expected to attend, including more alumni than typically come because of the 100-year mark. Several tables will be reserved for specific graduating classes.