Tenth annual Winterfest raises funds for programs

Intermountain Catholic

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Rob Hughes shares a moment with Tony and Barbara Hirsch, as they try out the log porch swing (fire extinguisher not included) created for the live auction by parents of seventh-graders at Blessed Sacrament School. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — A change of location from Juan Diego Catholic High School to the University Park Marriott Hotel didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the more than 300 guests at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School’s annual Winterfest Anniversary Ball Feb. 25. The fund raiser, organized by Karen D’Antuono and Pam Cronin with 13 committee members, was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Randall Carlisle of ABC-4 News, and marked the 20th anniversary of the school’s opening.

The evening began with cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, and a silent auction with music by Higher Ground. Dinner followed, with thank you comments from Blessed Sacrament Principal Judy Julian and Vice-principal Anne Adams. Claire Jonaitis presented a touching photo slide show featuring Blessed Sacrament students and teachers. Then, the serious business of the live auction began with auctioneer John Linsmeier.

This year the Winterfest was blessed with corporate sponsorship by KTVX-TV and ABC-4, National Wood Products, St. Thomas More Parish, the Jerry Seiner Dealerships, Private Clothing Co., Les Olson Company, and three families; the Brunners, the Van Ekenlenburgs, and the Versteegs.

The evening was anything but quiet with old friends greeting one another, and Winterfest supporters who have been attending the event for a decade trading stories about their children, many of them former students long graduated from the school.

Carlisle peppered the evening with positive comments about the Diocesan Catholic School System, emphasizing the fact that parents who send their children to schools like Blessed Sacrament and Juan Diego Catholic High School pay a premium; first supporting public education through their taxes, then paying tuition, then supporting fund raising events like the Winterfest.

The silent auction featured baskets on almost every theme imaginable. The live auction offered hand-made gifts by students and their parents. Disposable cameras placed on every table encouraged guests to document the evening’s fun themselves.