‘BELLissimo!’ fundraiser rings in more than $80,000

A drone shot of the fundraiser on Saturday, July 28. Courtesy photo

The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation held its second annual “BELLissimo!” fundraiser on Saturday, July 28, as more than 70 Avalon community members and island visitors gathered to share their love and support of the Chimes Tower.

Highlighting the evening was lively bidding during a silent auction featuring a wide variety of over 50 items, a live raffle, and a special Chimes concert, which many residents and visitors had the chance to enjoy.

Alison Wrigley Rusack greeted the crowd, saying “thanks to all who have contributed so far – both monetarily and in the form of services – the ironwork, tower, front entry and lighting look stunning! Going forward we have some intricate and costly work to do, including bringing the chimes and mechanism back to their original condition.”

“In addition to funds raised at the event, generous donations [have] been made by others far and wide, who have held, and will continue to hold the Chimes Tower close to their heart” adds Blanny Avalon Hagenah.

The Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation thanks the Catalina Island Company for catering the event; Shannon Hill and John Talsky for coordinating the silent auction; Bouys and Gulls and Catalina Coffee & Cookie Company for providing a fun shopping area, as well as donating a portion of their proceeds to the cause, and the many volunteers who helped to make this event run smoothly. “BELLissmo!” would not have been possible without all of your support.

Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets, in advance, for a beautiful handmade Chimes Tower quilt, made by Paris Rebl. You can view the quilt and purchase tickets (for $5 each or $20 for five) until midnight on December 10th on the foundation website – CatalinaChimes.org . Raffle tickets are also available in town at the receptionist desk at the Island Company corporate offices. Additionally, there will be a pop-up raffle table at the shops in the Atwater Arcade on select days in the coming months or you can purchase tickets from any Chimes Tower board member. The drawing will be held on December 11, 2018.