By Richard L. Gaw, Staff Writer

For 364 days a year, the Garage Community and Youth Center in West Grove and Kennett Square provide vital resources to more than 400 at-risk middle and high school students in southern Chester County. For many of these young people, The Garage is a lifeline to their dreams, and the dozens of volunteers and staff members who help them become like angels, placed in their lives to enable them to someday achieve those dreams.

For one night a year, however, everyone associated with The Garage puts down the tools of assistance and mentoring, and simply rocks out. Such was the occasion of The Garage's sixth annual holiday auction, held Dec. 5 at the Kennett Square center, which drew more than 300 volunteers, supporters, friends and local leaders for a night of frivolity and fund-raising.

A preliminary tabulation of the proceeds from the event estimate that the benefit raised more than $55,000, which will be earmarked for operating expenses for the two centers.

The Hilton Garden Inn of Kennett Square provided the majority of the many desserts and hors' deouvres, while Penn Liberty Bank, Fulton Bank, Ciprani Consulting and the Jesse Johnston Team served as corporate sponsors for the event.

Miguel Alban of Hispanic Approach served as the benefit's official auctioneer. The live auction included a week-long trip to London; a week in Jamaica, golf foursomes at local golf courses; a four-hour sailing tour on a Catalina boat; as as well as several vacation get-aways, jewelry and fun items.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].