By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Bidding was intense at the 19th annual Holy Family Parish charity auction Sunday, and items honoring Father Emil Kapaun drew high bids.

The first auction item was a Father Kapaun package that included a Teddy bear dressed in camouflage fatigues and wearing dog tags.

In no time flat, bidding reached $280.

The auction, conducted at Pilsen community center, raised money for Holy Family Parish to help people facing tragedy or high medical expenses, to donate to Community Christmas, and to give to community food banks.

A meal of roast beef, ham, potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, salad, and dessert accompanied the auction.

Before and after their meals, crowd members milled around edges of the room, looking at and bidding on silent-auction items displayed on tables with bid sheets next to them.

Crowd members also inspected gift baskets, loaded picnic baskets, embroidered kitchen towels, furniture, jewelry, gift certificates, homemade jellies and jams, baked goods, and many other items donated for live auction.

Bidding began as people were finishing their meals.

Auctioneer Joe Vinduska called the crowd to attention and quickly moved through tables at the front of the Pilsen Community Center. Bidding was rapid-fire. After selling items on the front tables, Vinduska moved to items along the front wall and on the stage.

The auction raised more than $20,000 and additional cash donations are still anticipated.

“We did top last year,” said committee member Melissa Stuchlik.