A strong turnout and enthusiastic bidding helped raise more than $64,000 at this weekend's 13th annual Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County Celebrity Auction, an annual benefit for the local club's programs.

The auction took place on Saturday evening at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Hundreds turned out for the buffet dinner followed by a live and silent auction.

The auction, held to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club programs and activities, featured almost 600 items from local businesses, sports memorabilia, TV and movie items, items from entertainers, political items and more.

Scott Bullington, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club, said that he wanted to thank the board members and volunteers for their team effort that made the auction the best in terms of net revenue that the club has ever achieved from a special event.

"We could not achieve our continued successes without the efforts of these individuals," he said. "We are very fortunate to have such a caring group of individuals to support our community's youth."

"We really had great participation from our bidders, and we were able to surpass our expectations for our live and silent auction items this year," said Rebecca Tipton, a board member and the co-chairman of this year's event, along with Eddie Yokley.

"We've done well," Yokley said. "It's a great organization. We support a lot of children that would not have the opportunity to be in a positive environment."

Several in attendance seemed pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of items available.

The "something for everyone" approach had many shopping ahead for birthdays and even Christmas.

Resource Development Director Bridget Jones noted two new unique items in this year's live auction -- a 1960s All State motorcycle and two antique jukeboxes.

The top-selling item was a guitar signed by The Band Perry that went for $3,500.

The top bidder, Horace Davis, of Caney Branch, never hesitated to increase his bid in order in lay claim to the guitar.

He noted that he was the winning bidder in last year's live auction for another guitar signed by The Band Perry, for which he said he paid $2,600. Both will be put on display in his home.

The Band Perry-autographed blue guitar was a donation by Korner Pawn & Title Pledge.

Other top-selling items included a Walmart Distribution Center Vizio 47-inch TV that went for $950 and the 1964 antique All State Motorcycle donated by Pat Yearwood that went for $900.

A stay at the All About The View Vacation House on Topsail Island, N.C., donated by Steve and Karen Mears, went for $800, and a second guitar signed by The Band Perry (a kids guitar also donated by Korner Pawn & Title Pledge) went for $600.

"We had 591 items up for bid this year," said Ted Bryant, of co-title sponsor Summers Taylor. Bryant is a Boys & Girls Club board member.

"We were very pleased with the most generous bids the club received this year. It was due to the hard work of all the club staff and volunteers that put this event together," he added.

"We did not know how successful the event would be this year based on the slow economy, but the great people of our community really stepped up to make our event a huge success and help our children," he concluded.

This year's event was title-sponsored by Forward Air and Summers Taylor.

The other major sponsors included C & C Millwright and RPC Specialty Coatings as the dinner sponsors, along with the bid tables being sponsored by Greeneville Federal Bank, the Greeneville Light & Power System, Roadtec and Stowers Machinery.

The Event Program was sponsored by Takoma Regional Hospital.

Other major sponsors included CE Minerals, DTR Tennessee, Inc., Everette "Scottie" & Vanda Scott, Josh Swatzell, Landair Transport & Distribution, Marsh Petroleum, Power Equipment, Professional Vending Services, and the Town of Greeneville.

Items ranged from photos and scripts to sports equipment, books and CDs.

In addition, many restaurants, stores, hotels and other businesses donated certificates, various goods and services.

Eddie Yokley, Shane Carter and Scott Wills volunteered as the evening's auctioneers.

The Trinity United Methodist Kitchen Crew provided the evening's meal.

Events such as the Celebrity Auction help to fund the local Boys & Girls Club activities and staffing.

The Boys & Girls Club is open to all school-age youth who reside in Greeneville and Greene County.

The club has various programs for youth development including: character and leadership development, arts, sports fitness and recreation, education and career development, and health and life skills.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Club, visit 740 West Church St., call 787-9322 or 787-9334, visit the club's Facebook page, or visit the club website at http://www.ggcbgc.org