Thornton Fund Auction supports vital programs

The Thornton Fund Auction returns this month, and whether participants bid for items online or raise their paddle at the in-person event, they’re making a difference in the lives of students.

This year’s Thornton Fund Auction will be held virtually for online bidding May 15-19, and will conclude with a live, in-person auction on Saturday, May 20, on the Thornton Academy campus, starting at 5:30 p.m. Courtesy photo

As Thornton Academy’s only fundraising event, the auction supports critical programming, expands academic opportunities, provides free breakfast and lunch for students in-need, and enhances campus life.

This year’s auction will be held virtually for online bidding May 15-19, and will conclude with a live, in-person auction on Saturday, May 20, on the Thornton Academy campus, starting at 5:30 p.m.

“The online bidding allows our friends from afar to participate and support our students, while the live event on May 20 is a great way to reconnect in person and enjoy the fun and excitement of live bidding,” said Haley Thompson, director of development at Thornton Academy, in a May 2 news release.

Items in the auction include:

Four tickets to a 2023-24 Celtics game.

A pair of tickets to Chris Stapleton at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion on July 7 (with sedan service).

A seven-night stay in a condo at Vero Beach, Florida.

A jersey autographed by Patriots legend Steve Grogan and another signed by New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor.

A $2,500 voucher toward orthodontic treatment at Remmes Orthodontics.

Four tickets to a Patriots preseason game.

Other auction items include Adirondack chairs, pizza oven, slate roof tiles painted by Thornton Academy art students, and passes to Dunegrass Golf Club, Funtown, Storyland, and Maine Wildlife Park.

In addition to the online and in-person auctions, participants can purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win $20,000 in cash prizes A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold, with seven chances to win (first prize: $10,000; second prize: $5,000; and five $1,000 winners). Winners do not need to be present to win.