Bid on a motorhome in St. Bede Academy auction

Funds provide tuition assistance and offset educational costs at Peru private school

St. Bede Academy in Peru is rolling out a big-ticket item for its 2021 auction.

Mobile bidding is open on a new 2021 Jayco Redhawk SE 27N Class C Motorhome, provided by Fourwinds RV. The opening bid is set at $69,900, with a “Buy-it-Now” option available at $99,799. Bidding remains open at bede2021.ggo.bid/bidding/package/13357479 until 7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 19. The recreational vehicle was ordered especially for the St. Bede Auction.

The St. Bede “Just Imagine” auction traditionally takes place the last Saturday in April. Because of the pandemic, it has been pushed back to June 19.

In keeping with CDC guidelines, the St. Bede auction will take on a new form, with options. Supporters will be able to attend a micro hybrid event with limited in-person attendance at St. Bede, host a viewing party at their home or support the auction by donating or bidding virtually, which has been offered for several years. A link to self-enroll for the auction can be found on the school website, www.st-bede.com. Funds raised from the auction help offset the cost to educate St. Bede students beyond tuition and to provide financial assistance. Funds from the auction bridge the tuition gap by over 61%, according to a news release from the school.

“Last year was a tough year for us,” Bonnie Prokup, manager of auction of special events, said in a news release. “With the restrictions on social gatherings we were unable to hold this event, which greatly impacted us resulting in a decrease of $197,000 from 2019. We have great optimism that with the new options to participate, great items up for auction, and the wonderful support from our St. Bede family, we will be successful in meeting this year’s goal.”

New this year is St. Bede’s MEGA Raffle, featuring about $21,000 in cash incentives and prizes. Tickets for the MEGA Raffle can be bought at www.st-bede.com.

The Fund-A-Need for this year’s auction will be for repairs and renovations to the skylights in the Abbey Church.

“Over the years, leaks have caused water damage in the church and various areas throughout this multi-purpose building,” Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, said in a news release. “There is a critical need to repair all the windows and glass, making everything watertight, and to stop the water damage.”

To learn more about the auction or to register for mobile bidding, visit www.st-bede.com or contact Bonnie Prokup at bprokup@st-bede.com.