While state funded schools face economy forced cuts, Kearney Catholic addresses financial concerns of their own. Friday, they prepared for their annual GOLD Dinner and Auction.

     The last few years the fundraiser has broke the $200,000 mark. This year they'd like to meet or exceed that, but hope the economy won't ruin their plans.  

     Putting on the final touches, lights and ribbons line the ceiling of the Buffalo County Exhibit Building. They set the stage for the annual GOLD Dinner and Auction. "It brings the community together as a whole to work for a common good. All the proceeds go to the school," explained organizer Angela Williams.
 
     With no help from government Kearney Catholic relies on student tuition, donations, and fundraising, specifically this fundraiser. "It's just over the years done an immense amount of things for Kearney Catholic from equipment to building structures, scholarship assistance. So, it's just critical that we have a successful event year in and year out," said organizer Bruce Blakenship.
 
     Fifteen years ago, in it's first year, GOLD brought in almost $70,000. It's annual earnings now are $200,000. With the economy putting many out of work, officials say they are thankful for any donations they get. "To me any additional monies would be a success. Even though we would like to see the big numbers and we would like to see a record year, with the economy we're grateful for just having any additional monies," Williams said.
 
     In the last 14 years more than $2 million has been raised.

Reporter's Notes by Laurie Dutcher:    

Tickets are still on sale for the dinner and auction. It takes place Saturday with a silent auction at 5:30, dinner at 7:30 and a live auction at 8:30.

To purchase tickets contact the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation at 236-6903.

Tickets are $90.

More than 350 items will be auctioned off. "We've got anything from gift certificates to dinner for $25 up to a $9000 trip to Napa Valley on a private airplane," said Blakenship.

Some big ticket items include a new car, a new boat, a guitar signed by Sugarland and a Yankees jersey signed by Joba Chamberlain.