More than 180 people attended the 11th annual Spirit of the Y Dinner & Auction on Saturday at the Schuylkill YMCA.
Both a live and silent auction, dinner and the presentation of the volunteer of the year award were featured at the event.
Proceeds from the event benefit the financially less fortunate in Schuylkill County.
Tickets were $80 per person or $1,000 for a VIP table of eight.
The event started at 5 p.m. at the headquarters of the Y, 520 N. Centre St., Pottsville, with a VIP preview, a dinner and silent auction until about 7:30 p.m. The live auction started at 8 p.m.
Wayne Stump, Schuylkill YMCA executive director, said a lot of people make the Y what it is.
Members, the board of directors, volunteers and others support the organization, he said.
The Tempest Swim Team Parents' Association was presented with the Milton Sorin Volunteer of the Year Award for their contribution to the swim team.
In speaking about the team, Stump said the team has grown from 20 swimmers in 2008 to 80 swimmers representing "all corners of the county" and they do this without a pool. They practice at the Ned Hampford Natatorium at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School in Pottsville.
Fourteen swimmers competed in states in 2012, Stump said.
"As a proud YMCA, we want to recognize the Swim Team Parents' Association for their efforts to keep the team going. Whether they are running the concession stand, helping on the deck during competitions, running the team, ordering apparel, fundraising (or) handling the finances, they put hours upon hours of volunteer time to give their children and the coaches the best opportunities to be successful," he said.
Tom Campion, association president, thanked everyone.
"Volunteering is not a job that's very much appreciated," he said.
After the award, the live auction started. One by one various individuals then did their part to get those in the audience to bid on the 11 items. The items included Sixers courtside tickets, a Y family membership with three months of unlimited classes at the Southern Schuylkill Extension in Orwigsburg, a $500 gift card to Nordstrom, a diamond necklace and a Florida vacation valued at $3,500. The live auction netted $5,865.
The silent auction items included a NFL football signed by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Penn State football tickets and an 18-inch pearl necklace.
A final tally on the money from the silent auction was not available as of press time.
Ken Stolarick, Pine Grove, a member of the Y board, bid on the Flacco football for a friend in Florida who is a Ravens fan.
He paid $255. He did not think he would be the winning bidder for the football.
Being an Eagles fan, he was also the winning bidder -$80 - on a football signed by former Philadelphia Eagles player Ron Jaworksi.
He enjoyed the evening.
"I think they did a great job," he said.
State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, also attended the event.
"What a beautiful event. It's a great night," he said.