Art at Rest bidders help fund hospital’s emergency helicopter transport

The Art at Rest 2014 auction succeeded in raising more than $11,000 from 122 bidders at Lincoln Hills Sunday.

The organizing committee of hospital volunteers reported Monday on the results of the annual auction, which will help them fund their $125,000 pledge to restore emergency helicopter transport to the Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital campus. The pledge also financed a family consult room in the new emergency department.

Two of the 35 live auction items attracted the top bids of $475 this year. One was artist Laurie Carey’s “Mitten Denim” Adirondack chair. The other was a 6-hour fishing excursion for four on Lake Michigan offered by Tony Hamm.

Carey’s chair featured a blue denim cushion in the shape of Michigan, with Ludington identified in its lakeshore site on the “mitten.” She was one of 27 local artists who created unique items for the event.

Art at Rest was led this year by Anne Kivela and Sheila Preston, co-chairs of the volunteer board’s special projects committee. The entire board, special projects committee, and more than two dozen other volunteers worked together to organize and stage the event. The results were boosted by event sponsors, including presenting sponsor the Bouchard Family.

Attendance was so strong that additional chairs were set up to supplement the tables filling the main event room at Lincoln Hills.

The audience was entertained by Paula Jury-Jarvis and the Lakeshore Youth Chorus. The young singers were thanked with a standing ovation. Attendees chose food from a buffet prepared by Lincoln Hills staff.

Joe Johnson served as auctioneer this year. Besides being a professional auctioneer, he is director of the Hadley Behavioral Health unit at the hospital.

In addition to the 35 live auction items, including adult and child chairs, other furnishings, and a variety of other items. There were also 54 silent auction items donated by businesses and individuals, and one Adirondack chair that the Art at Rest committee gave away in a drawing among ticket purchasers.