Proceeds From 4th Annual Dinner Auction To Benefit
Catholic Children’s Home & William M. BeDell
Achievement & Resource Center
EAST ALTON, Ill., May 21, 2010 – The Simmons Hanly Conroy announced Friday it’s fourth annual Simmons Employee Foundation Charity Auction raised more than $200,000 to benefit two Madison County charities, The Catholic Children’s Home, in Alton, and The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center, in Wood River.
More than 500 people, including Simmons Hanly Conroy employees, friends and family and local businesses showed their support for the two charities by selling out the Thursday, May 20 event at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Ill. The evening’s program began with a cocktail hour and silent auction followed by a noisy, live auction.
“We are thrilled with the result of the Fourth Annual Dinner Auction,” said John Simmons, the firm’s founding shareholder. “It is inspiring that so many of our employees and friends, their families and other local businesses have given so generously. On behalf of the firm, I would like to thank each and every one of the participants and contributors.”
The live auction featured 26 items, ranging from Cardinals tickets and the new Apple iPad to a police ride-a-long and a 7-day European vacation and more. Local business, community groups, and individuals who donated items to be auctioned included Simmons Hanly Conroy, Illinois Pet Fence, Gateway Landscape & Sprinkler Systems, Inc., The Alton Police Department, Sunset Hills Country Club, Hurford Architects, Darin & Laura Hendrickson, Holland Construction, First Leaf Clover Bank, Jeffery Mastroianni, DMD MS, and Bluff City Tours.
“We can not say thank you enough to everyone who helped make the auction so spectacular,” said David Bamper, president of the Simmons Employee Foundation. “Without the support of the local businesses and the community, we could not host such a successful event that provides needed funds to charities like The Catholic Children’s Home and ARC who make our community a better place by helping children in need.”
The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization working to improve the lives of Madison County residents with developmental disabilities. Created in 1957, The ARC provides high quality programs to children and adults affected by developmental disabilities. The programs focus on educational and therapeutic initiatives that encourage physical and mental development.
The Catholic Children’s Home is a special place for children in need. Dedicated to helping children who have been neglected or abused, the CCH created a safe haven for children and families in crisis. Their Special Education Day School was developed specifically for children with learning disabilities and developmental or behavioral disorders.
