2008 Special Auction for Special People

On Saturday, March 1, friends, families and benefactors gathered in the ballroom of the Westin Convention Center Hotel for the 2008 Special Auction for Special People— McGuire Memorial’s annual gala event benefiting the children and adults of McGuire Memorial.

Auction co-chairs Mary Jo King and Sheila Weis Scanlon, together with the Auction committee members and volunteers, orchestrated a most memorable evening of entertainment that featured Sally Wiggin of WTAE-TV as Master of Ceremony, ongoing silent auction bidding, a delicious three-course dinner, and a fun and exciting live auction led by auctioneer Sherm Hostetter of Hostetter Auctioneers.

The Most Reverend David A. Zubik, D.D., Bishop of Pittsburgh offered the invocation.

Christopher and Bonnie Smith, parents of McGuire resident Jasmine Smith, delivered the night’s keynote address talking about their lives with their remarkable daughter, Jasmine. Their remarks were followed by an equally moving video about The School at McGuire Memorial.

A fun and fast-paced live auction led to high, competitive bids for many of the outstanding items at auction—from a 46” RCA high-definition television, to a two-week vacation in Greece, to a $5,000 Duquesne University scholarship, to an autographed jersey by Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Silent auction items also kept auction-goers intrigued with over 160 great items such as designer handbags, a Hidden Valley Resort weekend getaway, and a Hines Ward hand-signed framed photograph.

At the conclusion of the Auction, the name of one lucky winner was drawn as the new owner of a 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 convertible.

The 2008 Special Auction was made possible by generous underwriting by CentiMark Corporation, Wal-Mart, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, McCarl’s Services, Inc., Burns, White & Hickton, along with a host of additional sponsors and benefactors.

Proceeds from the 2008 Special Auction for Special People will enhance the continued expansion of The School at McGuire Memorial, a private school located on the McGuire Memorial campus, serving children ranging in age from 3 – 21 years, with autism, physical and developmental disabilities, and those with profound multiple, complex disabilities. Proceeds will fund needed materials and equipment for physical, occupational and speech therapy at The School, an enhanced playground facility, as well as curriculum materials and ongoing faculty development.

The 2008 Special Auction for Special People was an unqualified success, thanks to your generosity and support. McGuire Memorial extends its heartfelt thanks to you for your contributions of time, talent and treasure in helping to make this event such a success