Crime & Safety
Standing Room Only at Chinese Auction to Benefit Good Samaritan
Second annual event draws hundreds to the WSFD.
The in Sayville held its second annual fundraising Chinese auction on June 29 at the . To say the turnout was remarkable would be an understatement.
“We actually had to turn people away from the event because we didn’t have any more seating,” said Christine Schomberg, director of the nursing home. The event was set for 225 people but people were welcome to come in for standing room only.
This year’s auction had even more to offer in the way of prizes. “There are 353 items up for grabs,” Schomberg said. Donations came from all over the United States, she added, thanks to the Internet. As usual, local businesses were also generous in their donations. “The business community has been so great with all their help,” she said. “Between gift cards and even cash donations, we have been very fortunate.”
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Especially given the state of the economy, Schomberg said she was surprised by the outpouring of donations. Each department at the nursing home was also responsible for their own basket. “None of this would have been possible without the help of everyone at the nursing home,” she said. “The Sayville community always seems to come out and support each other no matter what.”
Some of the items that garnered the interest of attendees included: an Eli Manning photograph, tickets to Great Adventure, Adventureland, local movie theaters, Cradle of Aviation, Splish Splash, Mets games, Brooklyn Cyclones games and gift certificates to Oakdale Pizza, Sal’s Pizza, Viva la Vida, , , , , , and .
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This year’s event was definitely bigger and better than ,” Schomberg said. “We have many more larger ticket items. The turnout was so great people were waiting in line out the door just to see the baskets.”
With the $10 admission, guests received a card of tickets, coffee and cake. Other refreshments were available for purchase. Attendees were also asked to bring a can of non-perishable food for the Greater Sayville Food Pantry. Those who donated food received an extra raffle tickets for a few select prices. There were also two 50/50 raffles.
The nursing home residents get to choose how they wanted to spend the money raised from the event. All of the money raised will go toward outdoor furniture and umbrellas for the outside decks at the nursing home.
