Community Generosity Leads to Big Day of Fundraising in Owatonna
I am impressed each year that three major fundraisers can be held on the same day in Owatonna and each be very successful for their organization.
Each fundraiser benefits kids. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota held its Bowl for Kids' Sake bowl-a-thon in Faribault and Owatonna on Friday and Saturday. The St. Mary's School Night of Knights auction wrapped up Saturday's festivities.
Sandwiched into between was the biggest salute to cakes you may ever see. The Owatonna Young Life cake auction celebrated its 39th anniversary by bringing in more than $75,000 to support the program. One of the more spirited bids I had the chance to auction off included a table made from pieces of the old high school gym floor, which had to be replaced due to water damage last summer. The bidding approached $1,500 before a winner prevailed.
Other big totals came in with vacation stays, event tickets and food experiences. Sale cakes and auction baskets added to the fundraising total. At the end of Saturday's event, Young Life director Chuck Jamison announced a preliminary total of $75,000 - $78,000.