Linda Koller and her dog, Pippin, look over items for sale Monday at the annual Hospice auction.
Three-year-old Esther Smucker munches on a soft pretzel Monday at the annual Hospice auction.
Clarence Dupert moves an organ he bought onto a trailer with the help of his son, Steve, Monday at the annual Hospice auction.
Hospice of Lancaster County's 26th-annual Labor Day fundraising auction was one for the record books.
A record number of bidders helped Hospice raise a record profit, despite the tough economic times.
There were more than 1,500 bidders and more than 3,000 people attending the two-day auction, which is Hospice of Lancaster County's largest fundraiser, said Steve Knaub, chief operating officer.
"By far, it's a record," Knaub said. Last year's record, for the auction's 25th anniversary, was 1,200 bidders.
"It's been a fabulous auction with incredible results," Knaub said. "It's phenomenal, impressive. The community stepped up again today."
Cathy Stauffer, chief executive officer, said Hospice supporters had hoped to match or exceed last year's record total of $356,000.
This year, the sale raised $358,000.
The auction proceeds are used to help offset costs for Hospice's charity care, Pathways Center for Grief and Loss and spiritual care, she said.
The support of the auction is "Lancaster County at its best," Stauffer said.
The item that brought in the highest total was a Jeep Renegade, which sold for $3,000. An anniversary diamond ring sold for $2,600. A cruise to the Bahamas went for $2,400, and an original painting by Suk Shuglie brought in $2,000.
Jewelry, a watch for her husband and shrubbery were some of the items Priscilla Siesholtz bid on successfully at the auction on Monday.
The Lancaster resident said she attended the event to "pay it forward" and give back to the community.
The auction is "a good community event. (Hospice) helps everybody in the community and is a very worthwhile organization," Siesholtz said.
Although Siesholtz has not needed to use Hospice's services, "I've heard of many families who have been taken care of," she said.
Millersville-area resident Dottie Huber has been involved with Hospice since 1989 when her late husband, Elmer, was cared for by the organization.
"It's a super organization. They took such good care of my husband and me," she said. "The staff is wonderful. The nurses are angels on earth, really."
Since then, Huber has volunteered with Hospice as a co-facilitator of support groups, an office receptionist and a home and nursing home visitor. She also volunteered with its auctions in the 1990s.
"We used to take a little truck to Brickerville, Lititz, to pick up donations when it was a small auction," Huber said.
Although she no longer is helping with the auction, which now is held at the Lampeter Fairgrounds, Huber still enjoys attending and bidding on items.
On Monday, Huber took home Baldwin candlesticks and a "lovely" pink afghan.
"It's one of my favorite colors," she said.