The 26th Butler Benefit Auction "Purple Reign"
Annual Fundraising Auction Raises Record-Breaking Funds for Student Success
“Purple Reign” was the theme of the night, as more than 320 guests enjoyed the 26th annual Butler Benefit Auction on March 3. The auction is the largest fundraiser for the Butler Community College Foundation.
“The auction raised more than $315,000 to support the Foundation in its mission to provide scholarships and academic opportunities for students,” said Jennifer Green-Miracle, director of community advancement and corporate relations for the Foundation. “I am truly impressed by the generosity of the many alumni, friends, and businesses who see the value of Butler Community College.”
Brady and Jaime Sharp served as honorary chairs for the event.
The evening featured silent and live auctions, a buy-in dinner party, and a golden ticket drawing. The highest-selling item was a Kansas City Chiefs suite box generously provided by Auburn Spirits East and Occidental Management. Several trips to Nashville were provided by Premier Food Services and Joe Hemmelgard, raising more than $20,000. Another high-demand item was a dinner by Butler’s own Culinary Arts Department.
More than $103,000 of the total raised was via Pure Philanthropy. Gifts to Pure Philanthropy are 100% charitable, providing scholarships to Butler students.
Butler’s culinary arts and hospitality management students created and served appetizers before dinner. Members of the livestock judging team assisted with selling drawing tickets as well as working during the live auction. Theatre students assisted Mittlestadt Props & Design, owned by Butler alumnus Tom Mittlestadt, with décor and set up.
Butler alumnus Austin Clift (’10) emceed for the evening. As a student at Butler, Clift was a member of the Headliners show choir and a Clifford W. Stone Performing Arts Scholarship recipient.
Top sponsors for the evening were: HF Sinclair, Bank of America, Premier Food Service, BG Products, Commerce Bank, FORVIS, IMA, Simpson Construction, Professional Engineering Consultants, Hutton, Vintage Bank Kansas, L.J. Lechtenberg Strategic Financial Partners, Foulston Attorneys at Law, Occidental Management, and Auburn Wine & Spirits.
Those interested in attending, sponsoring, or donating to next year’s auction should contact Jennifer Green-Miracle at 316-323-6338 or jgreenmiracl@butlercc.edu.
Additional photos from the event can be found on the Foundation's Facebook page.
2023 Butler Benefit Auction Sponsors
