Buckhead Residents Give Helping Hand to Atlanta Youth Academy Auction

Atlanta Youth Academy, an independent school in Southeast Atlanta, will host its 10th annual Benefit Auction on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 3-5 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art. Teachers and volunteers from Buckhead are taking an active role in the auction.

What began as a small art auction in 2003 raised $65,000 last year, with every dollar used to fund scholarships. It has grown over the past decade to include hundreds of items such as fine art by local and nationally known artists, jewelry, vacation-home stays, chef’s dinners, tickets to sporting and theater events, and restaurant and spa gift certificates, according to Caitlin Jones who is handling publicity for the school.

“It’s been amazing to see our event flourish in recent years,” says Benefit Auction founder and 2013 Chair Sivan Hines. “As Atlanta Youth Academy has grown in size and need, the Benefit Auction has raised the bar year after year to support this amazing school.”

This year’s signature items include:

• An artist proof of The DiMaggio Cut, a piece by LeRoy Neiman signed by both the artist and DiMaggio;
• Statue of Liberty by painter Steve Penley;
• Dinner for six by Kyma Chef Pano Karatassos;
• An eight-day Caribbean vacation and;
• A round of golf at East Lake Golf Club.

“So many individuals, businesses and organizations in Atlanta donate items and experiences to our Benefit Auction every year,” said President Peter Rooney. “The majority of our students would not have access to a quality education without this support. We rely on the generosity of donors and events like the Benefit Auction to ensure these children continue to receive the best educational experience possible.”

AYA serves 130 students in grades kindergarten through eight and provides an education on par with top independent schools in a Christian environment, according to today's news release. The school is designed for urban children whose families believe in the importance of education but do not have access, either financially or geographically, to excellent private schools. While all families pay tuition at some level, AYA must raise more than 80 percent of the cost to educate each child. Graduates go on to top day and boarding schools in Atlanta and around the country. One hundred percent of AYA alumni have graduated from high school.

“We hope members of the Atlanta community will get an early start on their holiday shopping and purchase the wonderful items up for bid at the Benefit Auction,” says Hines. “We’ll have something for everyone!”

The event is open to the public. Mason Murer is located at 199 Armour Drive in Atlanta. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased in advance via the auction website or at the door on the day of the event for $30.

A complete auction catalogue is also available online.

The 10th Annual Benefit Auction Host Committee includes Martha and James Davis, Melody and Ron Domanico, Susie and Brian Gash, Yolanda and Greg Head, Sivan and Jeff Hines, Mary Stuart and Joel Iverson, Elisa and Walter Jackson, Nancy and Chip MacDonald, Laurey and David Nixon, Sheraun and Jonathan Parris, Penny and Billy Peebles, Johannah and David Plyler, Cindy and Van Price, and Chastine and Brooks Schoen.

For more information about Atlanta Youth Academy, visit the school's website.

www.atlantayouthacademy.com