ORWIGSBURG - The first MDA-Black-N-Blue Ball held Saturday at the Schuylkill County Club netted four times what it hoped to raise, leaving organizers stunned.
"We took in $85,000. We're all kind of in shock. I think our realistic goal was $20,000," Co-chairwoman Denise Calderone said Monday.
Of that, about $70,000 will help those with muscular dystrophy, she said.
"The people here in Schuylkill County have big hearts and are very generous," Calderone said.
Funds will go to the Allentown Muscular Dystrophy Association district office for use by Schuylkill County residents, she said. The money can go toward medical expenses, camps fees and other things.
Calderone said the ball itself, which took place from 6 to 11 p.m., incurred some expenses.
Seats for the debut event sold out in advance. Those attending had the chance to bid on donated items, including a 2012 FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom Harley-Davidson Motorcycle and a variety of gift baskets.
The motorcycle went for $9,589, Calderone said. The minimum bid was $8,000.
Joanne Parulis, co-chairwoman, was pleased the event went so well.
"This is by far the most successful first-year fundraiser I was ever involved in," she said.
The date for next year's ball is already set for Oct. 19, 2013. It will also be at the Schuylkill County Club and probably at the same time, Calderone said.
Bob Harris, father of Brandon Harris, 12, a seventh-grader at North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School and MDA Goodwill Ambassador, was "shocked" to learn of the amount raised.
"This gives us hope," he said, noting that the community's generosity shows "that people continue to care about these children."