The 2009 Discovery Auction fundraiser for Austin Area Catholic Schools raised $106,000 this year.

A year ago, the annual fundraiser set a record when $117,000 was raised from generous supporters of Catholic education.

Alicia Arrizola, 2009 auction director, and Norman Blaser, development director for Austin Area Catholic Schools, were pleased with the results. “We’re very happy with the results, considering the economy,” Arrizola said. “I had so much fun. It’s a lot of work for everyone, but it’s all worth it.”

Arrizola, the married mother of three children, said she hopes to return as auction director next year or “I’ll be working in some other capacity.”

Blaser said the total was impressive for an important reason. “Our auctioneers, Fladeboe Auctions, said other charity auctions they do are seeing a drop in the proceeds because of the economy,” Blaser said.

The money raised goes into the AACS general fund to support Catholic education in Austin.

This year’s fundraiser — held Saturday, April 25, at St. Edward’s Corcoran Center — included a remarkable display of the generosity that exists for delivering a quality Catholic education in Austin: $19,000 was raised in only five minutes for a special “Fund In Need” project announced that night to the bidders.

The need was for an upgrading of the school’s weight room — located in the lower level of Pacelli High School — into a combination weight room for student athletes, fitness center for elementary students and wellness center for faculty and others.

“Our weight room is far less than spectacular,” said Blaser, the former teacher, coach and school administrator. “We needed to update it and make it a room that elementary students could use for physical education. We wanted it also to be used by our athletes and we wanted to make it a wellness center for our faculty and staff. It’s going to have a complete make-over.”

Dan Zielke, teacher and coach, had the responsibility — handed to him in the middle of the live auction April 25 — to announce to the bidding audience the special Fund In Need project.

“We didn’t announce that to the people coming to the auction. That was done that night,” Arrizola said.

“The auction committee planned it. We knew it was going to happen, but the people in attendance had no idea,” Blaser said.

Fifty-three couples donated to the Fund In Need that Zielke described.

“It was something to see,” Arrizola said, “and people still talk about it.”

One couple donated $5,000, and another couple donated $7,000.

“People had tears in their eyes. It was a moving experience to see that kind of spontaneous generosity,” Arrizola said.

“I’ve been to 16 of the 17 Discovery auctions,” said Blaser, “and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Since April 25, another $10,000 has been donated to the Fund In Need project, pushing the total to $29,000 and allowing bids to be taken for the work this summer.

“We have not solicited any more money,” Blaser said. “People are coming in and donating to the cause.”

What makes it even more remarkable, the auction committee “hoped” to raise $8,000 for the Fund In Need project and topped that more than two-fold.

Beneath Jim Hayden’s “Una bella note Italiana” Tuscany garden decorations in the Corcoran Center and after an exquisite menu divined by Mike Lammers and sumptuous meal prepared by Sue Viehauser and her kitchen staff, the Discovery Auction crowd were entertained by the Four of A Kind vocalists before Fladeboe Auctions auctioneers took over the crowd’s attention from the silent auction items lining the fellowship hall.

The first item to be bid upon may have been an omen: A $10 bill brought $100.

A Pacelli Booster Club basket was sold for five times its value, according to Blaser, but the $100 for $10 start was the catalyst for good things to come.

“I think that set the tone for the evening of fun we had,” Arrizola said.

“That was to let people know ‘This is an auction to help us with our school. You’re not here to find bargains’,” Blaser said.

According to the pair, the fewest number ever of auction items didn’t sell.

The Flaeboe Auctions staff said they do 144 charity auctions each year and since the economic downturn, proceeds from charity auctions have been down as much as 15 to 20 percent.

The Discovery Auction committee set a goal to raise $107,000 and came within $1,000 of reaching it.

Blaser praised Arrizola and 57 volunteers who worked hard to create a night and auction to remember.

Arrizola passed around praise of her own.

“It was a great time and a great learning experience for me,” the first-time auction director said. “We appreciate the support of everyone, but particularly, Hormel Foods Corporation. There are so many to thank for helping us make this a successful fundraiser for Austin Area Catholic Schools.”

“We appreciate everyone’s assistance and support,” she said.

The Discovery Auction committee met Monday night to review the 2009 fundraiser and start planning the next one: Scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010.

Hint: The theme may be a “Jazz Night.”