Thanks to months of work by dozens of volunteers and the generosity of the Ocean Reef community, February ’s All Charities Auction Weekend raised more than expected for charitable causes on and around The Reef.

Hundreds of members turned out to the two-day event, which included a Wine Tasting & Auction Preview Party on Friday, an Auction Day Celebration Saturday afternoon and Gala Wine Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday evening. New this year, two additional live auctions added to the excitement on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The Ocean Reef Foundation, which hosts the event each year, reported the estimated total raised for charitable causes at $1.36 million, well above the anticipated total of $1.2 million. “We are delighted with the results from this year’s auction,” said Foundation Chairman Alan Goldstein. “A special thanks to the scores of people who worked to make this event a success. Thanks also to the many Ocean Reef residents and guests who attended the various Gala events. The charities that will benefit from this event are the Medical Center, the Art League, the Cultural Center, the Academy, the Ocean Reef Conservation Association and a host of charities and other organizations in need inside and outside of our gates.”

The Foundation also thanks event Co-Chairs Ron & Barb Besse, Steve & Kathie Markel and Tom & Marcia Martell, along with Wine Committee Chairs Mike & Angie Berman and the entire Gala Committee, event sponsors March and U.S. Trust, and hundreds of item donors.

The All Charities Auction event first combined numerous fundraisers for individual charities into one innovative event in 2008, and has since provided members with the chance to support charities on and near The Reef with this one fundraiser. The distribution of proceeds to receiving charities will be detailed in future issues of the Ocean Reef Press.