Document text
57 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, October 20, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 8, 2003 Grants Pass benefit ‘bear’ auction roars to record By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — The "Wild, Wild Bear Auction" of 21 Fiberglas bears in September was wildly successful — breaking a city fund-raising record at $175,000. Twenty-one local nonprofits were the big winners as the fantastically painted faux-bruins went for $160,000 in just three hours of bidding. The rest came from sponsorships and gifts. The larger-than-life bears were part of a summerlong public art display up and down Sixth and Seventh streets. "The first bear ("Riverbear" by Tommy Drake) went for $5,000. I thought that was really good," said Brady Adams, Evergreen Federal Bank president and the brains behind the BearFest Bears. Advertisement "Then the next one ("Bearforce One" by Gabriel Lipper and Kevin Christman) went for $10,000 and my jaw hit the floor." An additional $10,500 was raised through non-refundable bids from local businesses that hosted the bears on their sidewalks. Gifts and a silent auction for a handmade quilt bearing images of the bruins rounded up the remaining $4,500. "It’s the biggest single fund-raising event in Grants Pass history," said Adams. Local nonprofit groups such as Wildlife Images, Lovejoy Hospice, Gospel Rescue Mission and the YMCA will reap the benefits. Almost 1,500 people crowded into a sweltering Grants Pass High School gymnasium for the auction on Sept. 27, when the valley was experiencing a heat wave. Adams said the heat did not wilt the crowd and almost everyone stayed until the last bear was bid. "One bear went for $12,500 (Bloomin’ Bear by Vicki Magallon)," said Adams. "The last one (Fiberoptic Lighting), a fiber-optic bear, went for $9,500." Adams says BearFest will be back next spring with 30 bears and 30 cubs painted by local artists. "This was a much greater success than I had expected," said Adams. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times