Joyce Rudolph
Top bidders went home dreaming of the marvelous trips they'll be
taking after the Big Strike Auction Friday night benefitting the Verdugo
Hills Council Boy Scouts of America.
Organizers kept the live auction items to 20 and the action was led by
actor Gordon Jump. Scott Phillips bid the highest on a one-week
oceanfront condo vacation in Cabo San Lucas.
Joe Yakemonis will go coast to coast via Amtrak, visiting Disney World
and Universal in Orlando, Fla., and Kay Mount is bound for Cancun for a
weeklong condo stay.
Upon their arrival at the Glendale Hilton, the more than 350 guests
vied for about 300 silent auction items ranging from restaurant
certificates to home and garden merchandise.
Co-chairpersons, husband and wife Bob and Joan Nellis, chose
"Remembering Radio Days" as the theme for the 26th annual dinner because
"we thought it would be fun," says Bob. Sam Nicholson, retired principal
of Crescenta Valley High School, added to the ambiance by recreating
characters from the radio era over the public address system perched on a
small stage in the lobby. The Nellis' daughter, Debbie Koach of Montrose,
designed the nostalgic stage set.
The Nellis' received help from some 90 volunteers and Scouting staff
to put together the fund-raiser. Special applause go Sam and Kathy Engel
Jr. for co-chairing the ballpoint auction and Greg Krikorian who chaired
the donations committee. The Burbank Evening Kiwanis Club gave its time
to deliver larger items by truck the next day.
Organizers hope to raise $100,000 for their general fund. The council
has a $1 million annual budget, which pays for camping programs, salaries
for staff and other council needs.
Andrew Messer, the new executive director, was impressed with the
support of volunteers and the turnout.
"The caliber of the event is high," he said, "and, to keep doing it
for 26 years, it's wonderful to see the tradition of Scouting
continuing."
Another champion of Scouting, Gordon Jump, has been auctioneer for the
gala on and off for many years. Growing up in Ohio, the former Glendale
resident was a Boy Scout and received the Star Scout honor, which gives
him insight in to the importance of the program.
"Scouting gives a young man a sense of purpose, an understanding of
humanity and the guidance he needs to fulfull a meaningful life," he
said.
Fashion and fund-raising will merge when the Junior League of
Pasadena, which has many local residents as members, has its Center Stage
2000.
