The first of five gala fundraiser auctions for BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities occurred tonight at the Westin Bayshore where we got to raise our ‘paws’ to bid on some amazing Kermode Spirit Bears. In total, $546,000 was raised in the auction, not including the silent auction. Photos from the evening are below but first, a tally of the bears and how much each one fetched:
One thing to mention, one bear, Jeanie, Whistler Spirit Bear, which was not originally slated to auction, was auctioned off at someone’s request. The bear fetched $50,000 making it the highest-bid for the event.

7 $40,000 Kromode (my favourite)

11 $26,000 Chilkat Spirit Bear

17 $15,000 WPGA (West Point Grey Academy) School Spirit

21 $16,000 The Bearrister Bear

23 $11,000 Vinnie the Crew Bear

24 $12,000 Summer Cone Bearing

(NO NUMBER) $50,000 Jeanie, Whistler Spirit Bear
Some pictures from the evening, check out my Flickr stream with the tag “Spirit Bear” or my set for the evening, “20061010” for all of the pictures taken:
Pictures from The Great Spirit Bear Auction & Gala:
Greater Vancouver including Whistler
Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver
October 10, 2006
For those of you who missed this event, there’s four more galas coming up (click HERE to find out more) and Internet-based bidding at GoBid.ca:
Terrace, Kitimat & Prince Rupert
Best Western Hotel, Terrace
October 14, 2006
Surrey
Sheraton Guildford Hotel, Surrey
October 19, 2006
Prince George
Coast Inn of the North, Prince George
November 4, 2006
Vancouver Island
Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria
November 8, 2006
Internet Auction
Bidding Opens October 11, 2006
Bidding Closes November 9 to 14, 2006