Bonnes Meres hosts Holiday Auction

Guests of the annual Bonnes Meres Auxiliary Holiday Auction and Luncheon browse a wide array of gift packages being auctioned to raise funds for Children's Fund.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, Bonnes Meres Auxiliary hosted its annual Holiday Auction and Luncheon to raise support and funds for Children’s Fund, a foundation dedicated to the service of at-risk and abused children in San Bernardino County.

Over 300 guests browsed and planned their bids for a wide array of gifts, vacation packages and eating experiences up for silent and live auction in a Victorian Christmas setting. To complete the Charles Dickens Christmas theme, the Desert Carolers sang holiday favorites throughout the silent bidding and social hour.

“I love this event,” said Mallory Mudge, event chairwoman. “It’s the good will that’s present in the room that shows a small number of women can make such a difference in just one day.”

Mudge said while the Auxiliary has set the goal of raising $75,000 the actual amount will not be announced until the check is presented to Children’s Fund in December.

Keynote speaker Lee Jackman, chairwoman of the Children’s Fund Board of Directors, shared that in its years of support, Bonnes Meres has donated $1,580,000 to Children’s Fund. Last year, Bonnes Meres assisted Children’s Fund by providing supplies, scholarships, camps, and toys at Christmas to the “most severely damaged in the Children’s Fund Assessment Center with 78,000 life-changing interventions in one year.”

“This evening is always very well attended, very well organized and a great event,” said Neal Waner, vice chairman of the Children’s Fund Board of Directors. “Bonnes Meres is one of our largest reoccurring donors and they are always very generous. Children’s Fund is very fortunate to have their support.”

This year Waner joined Martha Green as the event’s live auctioneers.

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