About 300 auction-goers decked out in “Denim and Diamonds” came together to raise money for Barton Community College scholarships and program enhancements at the Barton Foundation’s 35th annual Big Benefit Auction on Aug. 24.
Attendees bid on a slew of items via silent and live auctions to raise $55,000 for scholarships and program enhancements at the college.
The Old Bill Honorarium, a separate scholarship fund built from donations from the crowd, accounted for about $9,500 of the total in honor of Tim Miller.
Barton’s Director of Institutional Advancement Darnell Holopirek said she was happy with the outcome of the auction.
“It turned out wonderful, and we really can’t thank the community enough,” she said.  “We just continue to be surprised every year by the amazing generosity of our surrounding communities. This event is so important for our students and our college and we just couldn’t do it without the efforts of everyone involved.”