Signed Carey Price memorabilia drew big bucks at the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society’s auction held at the Royal Canadian Legion hall over the weekend.

In a flurry of bidding accompanied by wild cheers Friday evening Shane Smith ended up paying a whopping $2,000 for a signed and framed picture and logo of the now famous Montreal Canadiens goalie from Williams Lake/Anahim Lake.

In and equally intense bidding war Mickey Crosina paid $1,125 for one of Price’s signed jerseys.

“I haven’t seen that kind of bidding for years,” says 139 president Greg Ashley.

Other hockey items brought in fair prices but nothing like those of the home grown star.

Tracy Telford paid $400 for a signed Roberto Luongo Canucks jersey and Lorraine Smith paid $500 for a signed jersey of Vancouver native Milan Lucic from the Boston Bruins.

All in all, Ashley says the auction held at the Legion Friday and Saturday and the telethon held at the Salvation Army hall Sunday were well supported by the community.

Together he says they went off the air at the telethon Sunday evening having raised $44,200, about half from the telethon and half from the auction.

More funds were still coming in as the telephone lines remained open for a while after the telethon went off the air.

“It’s actually great,” Ashley says. “I think the weekend was well supported.”

Last year, Ashley says they finished the auction/telethon fundraising weekend in Williams Lake with $54,000, but that also included $30,000 received from government in gaming funds.

He says they have applied for a gaming grant for this year but haven’t received word yet on whether the society will receive one.

Meanwhile the fundraising events for the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society continue.

The Tribune’s Valentine’s Day, Heart Warmer campaign is now in full swing. For a $5 donation in cash or cheque payable to the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society, people can put a 25-word Heart Warmer message to a loved one in the Tribune.

Look for the entry form in The Tribune and Tribune Weekend. The deadline for entry is Wednesday, Feb. 10 at noon.

On Saturday, Feb. 13 both Horsefly and the Anahim/Nimpo Lakes communities will be holding their annual dinner and auction nights for the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society.

The annual Banker’s Variety Shows in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House will be announced later.