St. Linus School Raises Nearly $25K from Hollywood Nights Auction

By Brian Hews

It was as big as a celebrity packed opening night premier and as exciting as a dramatic cliff hanger as nearly 350 supporters of St. Linus Catholic School in Norwalk gathered for the first ever “Hollywood Nights” Auction and Fundraiser at the Doubletree Hotel.

The mega event attracted a sold out ballroom an featured nearly 300 auction items ranging from designer cakes, custom made skateboards, camping gear, vacation packages and other items that many consider to be “priceless.”

Sister Catherine Casey CHF, who is the Principal at St. Linus School thanked those in attendance by reminding them that the Shoemaker Avenue private Catholic school has educated “generations upon generations” of students in the greater Norwalk for more than 50 years.

“You cannot put a price on what this night means for our students,” Sister Catherine said during the festive evening.

Some of the more interesting items that were sold included a “Good Morning Vietnam” themed dinner in which Fr. Huy Nguyen will cook a traditional seven course Vietnamese meal for 10 people. Another item that went on the auction blocks was a “Sleeping Beauties” package where the lucky bidder won a “sleepover” at St. Linus School with teachers Jennifer Muelebach, Julie Ortega, and Cindy Reichwein, that includes a night of crafts, movies, games, and “lots of junkfood.”

Popular Norwalk City Councilman Marcel Rodarte, a longtime Parishioner of St. Linus donated a lunch for four people, an “inside” tour of Norwalk City Hall, and then a “ride-along” with members of the Norwalk Sheriff’s Department.

Dozens of parents, church community members and alumni of St. Linus School helped coordinate the successful event. St. Linus Catholic Church is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary since it opened in 1961.

Ana Engquist served the Auction Chair who publicly thanked the event committee for all of their efforts. The committee included Alicia Nava, Azucena Carmolinga, Veronica Figueroa, Cynthia Ramirez, Anna Betancourt, Barbara Manriquez, Arlene Padilla, Deanna Dominguez, Tamara Arizaga, Shelly Chavez, Vanessa Chavez, and Michael Betancourt.

In addition, Chair Engquist acknowledged the “amazing contributions” from Terri Bueno, Mary Martin, and Jennifer Perez.

Fr. Tony Gomez said that he was “thrilled” about the success of the event. “We are very Blessed to have such an amazing group of talented and dedicated parents who we can always count on,” he said.