GENEVA – The Geneva High School cafeteria on Sunday, April 12, was filled with prizes – and people hoping to win them.
The Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce held its 26th Annual Chinese Auction, which featured more than 150 regular baskets, 14 grand prizes and eight silent auctions.
“And that’s on top of our 24 door prizes and our 50/50 raffle,” Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrew Raymond said.
All were donated items, which Raymond thought was wonderful.
He was touched by the generosity of the donors, considering that the proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for Geneva High School senior students.
“We give out two to four $1,000 scholarships,” he said of the yearly gifts.
There was a big response to the fundraiser as people lined up almost all the way to the high-school entrance doors.
“This year, it looks like we’re going to have a stellar turnout,” Raymond said. “We have over 100 pre-sale tickets.”
People could also buy tickets at the door.
Grand prizes this year included a large flat-screen TV, a Blackstone grill and a Pitt Boss smoker.
He liked the variety of items that were available for bidding.
“Everyone is going to find something they want to win,” Raymond said.
Ryan Colby, a village council member from Geneva-on-the-Lake, and his wife and nine-month old daughter, who were standing in line, said he has attended the event every year for three to four years.
“I’m here to support the businesses and obviously my buddy, Drew Raymond,” he said.
Another person in line, Annette Fobell of Geneva, liked supporting the scholarships and seeing everyone at the event.
Geneva Area City School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Lombardo was on hand as a chamber member to help out.
He liked to see people supporting the scholarships for the students.
“I think it’s amazing,” he said.
Dr. Lombardo, who is in his first year as superintendent, was at the event for the first time.
“It’s great to see people out and it benefits the students in the long run, and it’s great the community donates all these different items,” he said.
Debbie Warner of Chagrin Falls, another visitor who comes to the event each year, said she returns because the fundraiser benefits the students. She learned about the Chinese Auction from a friend, who sent her a Facebook post about it. She’s been coming since the beginning.
“It’s a nice community and the auction is always so nice, and there’s a lot of friendly people,” she said.
