It was the sixth-grade class project that had the bid cards flying at the recent annual Hope Lutheran School Auction.

The framed classroom created rendition of Georgia O'Keefe's Lake George Autumn raised nearly $1,000. Guests, made up mostly of parents and supportive grand parents raised nearly $40,000 during the silent and live auction held at the Brockey Conference Center on the South Seattle Community College campus.

"Our school is very fortunate to have such generous supporters and great volunteers as we simply couldn't have put on such a successful event without them", said auction co-chair Anka Bobo.

The evening emcee, actor Jim Nellis helped auctioneer Larry Snyder kept the bidding lively and fun. Donors also responded well when asked to help create the funding for needed digital projectors during the "Fund a Need" portion of the event.

Hope Principal Pete Wrenn asked the festive crowd to help by giving teachers the tools to share subject matter in a large multi media digital format. Several other needs will be filled with the evening's proceeds.

"A portion of the auction revenue will help pay for our reading incentive awards and also will fund a visit from the Pacific Science Center van," said auction co-chair Valerie Thomson.

Just prior to the live auction, guests took part in a dessert dash where each table collectively bid on an array of delicious treats including a six layer chocolate cake. Several students from Hope played important parts in the evening including modeling auction items, bid spotters, and bid recorders.