They came from near and far in search of collectibles, sports memorabilia and unique and trendy items, and people found them all at Blue Cap’s Auction ’97, held last weekend at Palos Country Club in Palos Park.
Participants perused three rooms of silent auction items while sampling hors d’oeuvres, fruit and pastries at the start of the event, which organizers expect to raise nearly $100,000 for the Blue Island-based facility that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities.
“It’s wonderful event. I don’t know if I’ll get anything, but I’ve been doing a lot of bidding,” said Mary Corcoran of Evergreen Park, who came to the auction with a friend.
Schaumburg resident Bill Biehl didn’t mind the long drive. His sister was a former employee, and he has been supporting the event for several years. Biehl purchased several Hummel figurines in the past and added another two to his collection with successful bids.
“My nephew has been at Blue Cap for the past 10 years,” said Colleen Stachulak of Blue Island. “They have a wonderful program, and we’re pleased to support them.” She and her husband, Ken, served on the auction decoration committee.
Palos Park resident Marge Bobb volunteers her time to several organizations that help children.
“I have many friends (who work) at Blue Cap, and I want to do my part to help them,” she said.
Participants in a live auction dined on a lavish buffet and enjoyed the commentary provided by auctioneers David and Harry Wollgast while waiting to bid on their favorite items. The Wollgasts have donated their time to Blue Cap for the past nine years.
As the silent auction bidding deadline neared, people rushed in to place last bids or guard the items they really wanted. Blue Cap volunteers Kathy and Marty Kelly of Oak Lawn hovered near the Beanie Babies basket to try to add to Kathy’s collection of 79 Beanie Babies.
“When I started babysitting for a friend a couple of years ago, I fell in love with the Beanie Babies, so she paid me with them,” she said.
Kelly lost her bid for the Beanie Babies basket, but she took it in stride.
“At least my $40 bid got Chops the lamb (a recently retired Beanie Baby),” she said.
The Beanie Babies basket sold for $163.
Coleen Shearer-Blouin of Burr Ridge spent $750 on a framed, autographed Chicago Blackhawks hockey jersey.
“My son Ryan is a hockey fan and he also plays, so I know it will be the perfect gift,” she said.
“I’m always impressed with the nearly 200 volunteers who help us put the auction together and the intensity with which they work,” said Lois Cipalo, Blue Cap’s executive director. “This auction has become more professional through the years, and it’s because so many caring people come together to share their ideas.”
