It's Time for the Spring Auction

will host the Annual Spring Auction for today from 6 to 11 p.m. This is the 10th year for the auction and all of the money raised will be used at the school for staff training, science and technology programs, health and safety services, performing and visual arts education and other programs that are at risk of being eliminated.

The auction has been a great success over the years, according to auction chair, Lisa Brault. "Over the past 9 years we have raised a half a million dollars," she said. "70,000 last year alone." There will be over 500 auction items available including 200 gift baskets sporting items ranging from dinner gift certificates to comedy club passes to Family Fun Day items such as passes to Disneyland. Parents, local residents and businesses donated 95 percent of the items.

In addition to the silent auction, there will be six live auction items up for bid which include trips to Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, Palm Desert and a time share to be used on a destination of choice. The other two items include Six Strong Men and a Truck, available to haul away your unwanted home or garage items and an oil painting of Sierra Madre School students accepting their Spotlight Awards. Student art will also be available for purchase including vases decorated with varying themes.

And as if a great auction for a worthy cause wasn't enough, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy including dinner, desserts and dancing. Main courses will feature lasagna and tri tip steak, pasta salad and a variety of treats. Alcoholic beverages will also be available with a choice of beer, wine or champagne. Then from 9:30 to 11 p.m. the dance floor opens up with DJ Danny Barry spinning the tunes.

Brault praised all those involved that help put this event together. "We had close to 60 volunteers," Brault said. "Just some absolutely amazing women helped organize this. It is what makes our school great...the amount of volunteers," she said. Brault also credited Principal Gayle Bluemel for the success of the auctions.

"It's an awesome school with an awesome principal. She has led us to be the best school ever," Brault said. Bluemel has been at Sierra Madre School since 1990. She has been a PUSD educator for 30 years and has just announced her plans for retirement. "I'm sure there will be some tears shed at the auction also," Brault said. 

The event will be held in the cafeteria at La Salle High School, located on E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Cost at the door is $55.