PENN TWP — Going once. Going twice. Sold!

Those words are music to the ears of Penn Christian Academy, set to host its 10th annual Holiday Auction.

Bidding will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at the school, 199 W. Airport Road.

According to Beth Thomasmeyer, fundraising director for the school, the annual event has grown over time, with total proceeds exceeding $250,000.

“This auction has come a long way,” Thomasmeyer said.

The first auction began with about 150 items that raised between $4,000 and $5,000 through live and silent auctions.

“The following years we increased to about $10,000 due to increased awareness and popularity of the event,” Thomasmeyer explained.

Last year, the evening generated $30,000, but planners hope for continued growth: This year's live auction items include a 2007 Honda Shadow motorcycle as well as vacation packages, a hall rental with DJ, Pittsburgh sports tickets and signed memorabilia and iPads and other technology.

Items are donated by local businesses and families of the students, which number 240 in kindergarten through sixth grade and 98 in preschool.

Themed baskets are created by each classroom and the teachers often enter a project done by their classes such as quilts, pottery, memory books and other creative treasures.

Thomasmeyer said despite the economic downturn, the auction has continued to flourish.

“We've had to think outside the box when it comes to soliciting donations: We've sought out services that people are in need of as well as unique items. The community and PCA parents have been extremely generous,” she said.

The school also receives sponsorship donations from those without items to offer.

“We have levels from $250 to $7,500 for personal or corporate sponsorship,” Thomasmeyer said.

Donations are sought during the summer, and the committee gathers at the beginning of the school year to plan and organize the event.

Also supporting the auction is school executive director Cindy Dodds, whose participation includes donating a Principal for the Day certificate.

Dodds attributes the auction's success to families tied to the school.

“One of the most positive memories I have was when someone stopped in my office after the auction and handed me a very large check. The individual did not buy a thing, but he said that the school had made such a positive impact on his grandchild's life that he wanted to give a donation,” said Dodds.

“It is so affirming when we hear from extended family members that the school is touching the lives of children in a significant way,” she added.

“There has always been strong family support for the auction, everyone participates in some way.”

Among the participants is Angie Levesque of Penn Township, who has served on the auction committee for four years. All three of her children attend the school.

“I wanted to help the school raise money because our family qualifies for scholarship funding, and I wanted to give back in some way. The auction helps PCA keep tuition lower than other comparable private schools,” Levesque said of the tuition, which runs about $4,746 per year.

Although auction proceeds offset tuition, Thomasmeyer said the school also hopes the auction will benefit its teachers.

“Our teachers are amazing and many are working for a fourth to a third of what their public school peers in neighboring districts earn,” Thomasmeyer said.

As a result, any money raised above this year's goal of $35K will go to the faculty.

According to Dodds, the school had a 14 percent enrollment increase this year and about 140 percent increase since the auction began 10 years ago.

The school was founded in 1987 as a preschool at North Main Street Church of God. It expanded in 1994 to become a school, growing a grade level at a time until it reached sixth grade and outgrew the church facility.

In 2002, the school bought its current building, a vacant public school, on Airport Road. The school's name was changed to Penn Christian Academy to reflect its new location in Penn Township.

<B>WHAT:</B> Penn Christian Academy's 10th annual Holiday Auction<B>WHEN:</B> Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 4. Bidding begins at 6 p.m.<B>WHERE:</B> 199 W. Airport Road, Penn Township<B>INFO:</B> 724-586-5200