Over 300 people were in attendance over the course of Friday's preview show and Saturday's actual event, raising approximately $250,000 for the Catholic school system through auction, silent auction, raffles, and chance games.
One-hundred thousand of that amount was raised during the live auction on Saturday.
Chad and Molly Berte won the name the drive with a bid of $850. Ten different outings raised over $1,500, with an Italian sausage supper for eight offered by Marty and Jill Wadle raising a total of $3,000. GALApalooza, a returning popular auction item from last year featuring a hog roast and musical entertainment by the Muscle Shirts, sold a total of 250 tickets at $50 a person for a grand total of $12,500.
Last years GALA return was about $250,000 as well.
"When we began this celebration 20 years ago, we didn't think it would become as big as it has been," said Eugene Meister, president of Bishop Garrigan Schools, during the event. "This evening is really a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate Catholic schools and education in our area."
For the past 20 years, GALA has relied on development director Diane Elbert's vast network of contacts and involvement to make sure things flowed smoothly.
"GALA takes a great amount of faith in what you don't see, and a great deal of reward in what you do see to be as successful as it is each year," Elbert said. "Each year we just keep getting better and better."
Elbert said that a quote from Calvin Coolidge was a summation of what GALA stands for. "No one person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what they gave."
Elbert recalled the first year of GALA, when only 10 people were in charge of organizing the event.
Currently, the event requires 40 different committees and numerous volunteers to be the success it is, with several parents, students, staff and community members working behind the scenes.
This year's winners of the Burton Meister Award were Steve and Marilyn Mccall and Giles and Janice Struck for their contributions to Garrigan Schools and GALA over the years.
"I remember when Steve was coach at Garrigan and I taught at St. John's, and when we ever came to play against Garrigan, we knew when we stepped out of the locker room, they were going to be pressing us when we got onto the court," said Gene Meister.
On Giles and Janice Struck, Meister praised Giles officiating for area sports teams in the past.
"When I was up at St. John, they were as good of officials as we could have," Meister said. "They may not have worked the games for us, but they did an outstanding job."
The winners of the Cecil Friedmann award at Garrigan were Sisters Mary Hermann Platt and Sister Janet Goetz.
Sister Goetz works for the registrar's office in Bishop Garrigan High School.
"In the registrar's office, she works hard on many details and helps out at many events," Meister said.
Sister Platt works for the curriculum office at Seton Elementary schools.
She has celebrated her Golden Jubilee.
"She is, as many of you know, a person of great detail," Meister said.
Meister praised both women for their dedication to the schools.
Big winners from the evening raffle were: Chris Weydert with $1,000 in the First Chance drawing, Rick Boisjolie with $1,000 in GALA Bucks in the First Chance drawing, Kathy and Steve Jayjack with $1,000 in Tuition from the first chance drawing, Don and Michelle Thul winning the 42 inch HDTV offered in the Key Club raffle, Steve and Mary Hilbert with $2,000 vacation in the last chance raffle and Henry Pfeffer in winning the recreational vehicle.
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