Readers open hearts and wallets for auction

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000 | 9:18 a.m.

Sun readers spread even more good cheer than usual during the past holiday season, contributing a record sum for the purchase of promotional items during the second Las Vegas Sun Holiday Charity Auction.

A check for $1,023.50, more than doubling the proceeds from the Sun's inaugural holiday auction in 1998, will be presented to the Shade Tree Shelter for women.

A total of 160 items -- promotional gifts and other materials the Sun and its reporters collect throughout the year but do not keep for ethical reasons -- were available for bid.

A Muhammad Ali keepsake ornament by Hallmark fetched $60, breaking the single-item record of $50 for an Alex Zanardi die-cast, Indy-type race car in 1998. Other popular items in this year's auction were Las Vegas Bowl Windbreakers, Mountain West Conference sweaters and golf shirts and a grab bag of gifts from the world famous Chicken Ranch brothel.

But there's good news for Buddy Greco fans who missed out on this year's auction. A compact disc featuring some of Greco's latest work was not bid on, meaning it will be available during next year's auction.

The Sun would like to thank all who participated in this year's auction and hopes everybody is enjoying their stocking stuffers.