Buns bring in big dough for Samaritan Center

Bidding was on a roll at An Evening in the Garden of Giving on Thursday -- a cinnamon roll.

More precisely, one dozen cinnamon rolls each month for a year from the kitchen of Cheryl Boessen, a cook at St. Stanislaus School, Wardsville.

One of the highest bids in the live auction to raise money for the Samaritan Center, Rich and Betty Kampeter, Wardsville, bought the bounty for $2,300 -- more than doubling the winning bid for a 1 carat diamond ring in two-tone 14k gold.

Betty Kampeter said that was a worthy price to complement Boessen, benefit the Samaritan Center and share the famous treats with their family and friends.

In addition to sampling Boessen's handiwork as neighbors, the Kampeters also have taken home the cinnamon rolls from past fundraisers.

Boessen started making the rolls for fundraisers about five years ago to help with an eighth-grade trip. Dough was everywhere in the school kitchen as she and a friend made 3,000 in a weekend.

Currently, Boessen makes a dozen per month for the winners of two other charity auctions. And her entry will be included at other charity auctions in the future, she said.

"It's my way of doing volunteer work," Boessen said.

Boessen's ability to manipulate the yeast breading is an art, said friend and fellow cook, Henrietta Gentges.

"Most people make homemade rolls and they're good that day," Gentges said. "Her rolls stay soft.

"But the secret can't be given out."

Boessen attributed her recipe to helpful women from the generation before her.

"Her rolls speak for themselves," Rich Kampeter said.

The second annual auction sold more than 550 tickets, up from about 520 from the inaugural event.

And with some outstanding donations, volunteer executive director Marylyn DeFeo said the event should generate nearly $65,000.

The center's budget for services is about $500,000.

In 1987, DeFeo began the ministry with a food pantry serving 15 families.

Now the center serves more than 900 familes each month, offering food, clothing, medical and dental services, financial aid, legal aid, cooking classes and other self-help services.

DeFeo said in addition to the immediate physical needs, the center hopes to educate clients. In some cases, by encouraging them to change their lifestyle, clients may escape the dependency cycle.

The event also recognized Nelson Vincent, who has served as a board member and volunteered at the center for 17 years.

Some of the crowd in attendance at the Samaritan Center auction is reflected into a large, framed mirror held up by Ross Bronson, left and Adam Frazier.Valued at $350, the mirror went for $500. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)