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Bethany bids amount to boost for Bernie’s Kids

By WARREN SCOTT 4 min read

BETHANY -- The Bernie's Kids toy drive received a great boost from students, staff and guests who attended a special auction held during Bethany College's Christmas lightup program Thursday.

More than $3,000 was raised for the local charity through winning bids placed on more than 20 Christmas trees, wreaths and gift baskets donated by many student organizations and departments at the school.

Gerald Stebbins, vice president and dean of students, said the event has offered a nice opportunity to support a local cause, generating nearly $30,000 during the last 11 years for the Christmas toy drive launched by the late Brooke County Sheriff Bernie Kazienko.

Through the years, Kazienko was aided by members of the Brooke County Deputy Sheriffs Association and many volunteers, and those two groups have taken up the effort since he died, from cancer, in 2011.

Darin Pizer, a retired deputy among the volunteers involved, said, "We're thankful to Gerry and Bethany College for putting this on. It's always fun and exicting. We appreciate all of the people who bid."

Auctioneers Harry Grafton and Clint Chevalier of Gary W. Cain Realtors returned to preside over the bidding at Bethany's Old Main.

This year, to encourage bidding from students, who often have lesser means, bidding for some of the table-sized trees was open to students only, with a cap of $50 set.

As in past years, many of the trees, wreaths and gift baskets followed a certain theme, often reflectng the groups that submitted them.

For example, the Animal Advocates club decorated a tree with various pet toys and treats, with a doggie blanket at its base, while the Outdoor Club tree bore many packets of seeds, gardening gloves and a spray bottle.

The Political Science Club's tree was flanked with about a dozen flags from various nations, while the student life department donated a barbecue-themed tree that included grill utensils, pairs of sunglasses and bottles of sunblock and was accompanied by a bag of charcoal and bottle of lighter fluid.

The college's chapter of the American Chemical Society included, among traditional Christmas bulbs and candy canes, ornaments that outlined the chemical composition of such holiday staples as candles and gingerbread men.

One small tree was decorated with assorted snacks that may be consumed while studying for finals and transparent bulbs filled with hand-written messages of encouragement.

English professor Heather Taylor explained the notes were produced by students in Bethany's First-year Student classes. She said all freshmen are enrolled in the course, which offers instruction in good note-taking and effective study skills and is divided into sections geared toward a common interest such as science or athletics that may serve to bring together students with similar majors.

Stebbins said through the years, bidding has been prompted by a strong interest in a particular theme and a spirit of competition.

"One year there was a bidding war for a large tray of cookies baked by students," he said, noting the winning bid was several hundred dollars.

Among the many bidders on Thursday was Alexander Blaire, a freshman from Fredericksburg, Va., who won three small trees.

"This is my first auction," said Blaire, who said of the experience, "It was a good cause and I was having a good time."

The bidders also included Jamie Caridi, the college's president who, through bids totaling about $600, won three trees, two of which he gave to the second-highest bidders.

Caridi said of the event, "It's an opportunity to come together as a community to support those who need it most."

He added it also offered a chance for attendees to reflect on the ways they have been blessed.

In addition to the auction, the evening included Christmas music from the college's choir, the lighting of its Christmas tree and a visit by Santa Claus.

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