LACONIA — Simply put, real generosity about a positive future begins in the present, and members of the Laconia Friends of Football haven’t neglected to remember that.
For the seventh time, the booster organization for the Laconia High School Sachems football team conducted an auction to raise money for the program, and once again, there was a lot of happy people when it was over.
Conducted at the Beane Conference Center in Laconia, hundreds of donated items were auctioned off by guest auctioneer P.K. Zyla, and both the football program and bidders were thrilled with the results.
“Last year, I think we raised about $10,000 at this event, and we’re hoping to do even better this time,” said Craig Kozens, Laconia High football coach and athletic director.
He got his wish, as $14,000 was raised at the auction and will be used by the program to purchase equipment and uniforms, and help meet other football-related expenses.
Besides the live auction, participants could bid on many items in a silent auction displayed at the Beane Conference Center throughout the evening.
Special thanks were given to Mark Roy for his continued efforts to make the annual auction the group’s top fundraising event.
Kozens said he also wanted to thank past Laconia Friends of Football Presidents Holly Ruggieri and Tammy Ryan, for staying involved with the group and making the auction the success that it has become.
“It was Tammy’s vision to start this auction,” Kozens said.
He also thanked board members Robin Mooney, Kelly Shastany, Megan Filgate, Dustin Muzzey and the Hounsell Family, along with Rod Roy, for their dedication to the LHS football program.
Kozens had nothing but praise for Zyla, who works for Roche Realty, and his wife, Martha, along with their daughter, Kim, and daughter-in-law Kellie, for their efforts to round up items in the Meredith area for the auction, and running the books for the auction since its inception.
Kozens said additional thanks go out to Mike Shastany for obtaining a computer program that has helped the auction expand this year, and Dave Henrick and Yvette Imhof from the 405 Pub & Grill who catered this year’s auction. He also thanked those who worked hard to set up the tables for the auction, including Jamie Roy.
Among hundreds of auction items were gifts such an overnight stay at Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith; gift cards for Prescott Florist, North American Spirits & Wine, Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant, Laconia Car Wash, Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, Shanghai Restaurant, Vista Foods, Aroma Joes, Paradise Island Tanning, the Brickfront Restaurant, Trustworthy Hardware and many more; skating passes to the Laconia Ice Arena; jewelry; clothing and golf equipment.
