Auction event raises over $193,000 for Linn Lutheran

PALMER – Despite the use of a wide variety of restrictive safety precautions developed by organizers of the annual Linn Lutheran School Endowment Fund Auction Fundraiser, the event on Nov. 21 raised a record $193,037 at last count, far surpassing last year’s record of $111,937. The success of the event showed public events can be held in enclosed areas if significant safety measures are put in place.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was significant talk of postponing or drastically changing the fundraiser event this year, even though the event had been raising an average of $110,000 in each of the last five years.

But after approving the implementation of changes to decrease crowd size and involvement, the decision was made to go ahead with the auction that helps grow the parochial school’s endowment fund.

Crowd size in the Palmer Community Building was an initial concern, but this year, students were not allowed at the event, which opened up a lot of space. Older people and individuals with health conditions were specifically asked not to attend this year’s event for their own safety.

The event always includes a buffet meal, which draws a big mealtime crowd. But this year, meal orders were assembled by volunteers to decrease contact with serving utensils, and the serving crew also offered meals in to-go containers so people could pick up orders and take them home.

During the mealtime period where the entire building would traditionally be full of people, this year’s crowd was about 25 percent of a typical year, with plenty of room for everyone to space out.

A silent auction in a smaller room of the building had extended hours so the crowds were never congested in that room.

Masks were worn and sanitary practices were used to keep any potential spread of germs at bay.

When the live auction began, which is the main fundraising element of the event, a new volunteer auctioneer took the reins – Randy Hiltgen, a COVID survivor, was able to conduct the auction maskless since he was not at risk and did not put visitors at risk of the spread of COVID. The auction included a large variety of products, merchandise and services donated by the community.

The event did not cause a cluster of COVID cases, even though it was held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Organizers were very thankful for the outpouring of support from the community for Linn Lutheran School.