‘It takes a village’

“It takes a village,” and more than a dozen volunteers to make the Waseca Neighborhood Service Center and Boxcar Bar’s annual Santa Anonymous Auction happen. This year’s event had more than 100 bidders, hundreds of items, and raised more than $30,000 at the Boxcar Bar in Waseca, Saturday evening, Nov. 26, 2022.

“A freaking dive bar can raise a lot of money now can’t it!” exclaimed organizer Tae Born, who is also engaged to Todd Schmidt, the Boxcar’s owner for 24 years. “All the credit to Todd, the volunteers, the Neighborhood Service Center, and the generous support of local businesses and persons who have continued to help this event grow.”

The auction, now in its 27th year, has been a mainstay in Waseca, helping donate funds to more than 500 families a year throughout the entire county. 

Among the strangest and highest-priced items auctioned off Saturday night was a neon John Deere/Busch sign which went for $4,100; a gazebo, a 13-week-old labradoodle puppy and, most interesting of all, according to Born, were 6 hot and fresh pizzas donated from Dominoes which sold for more than $200, with one large going for $80. 

All of the funds raised Saturday night go toward purchasing essentials– and toys, for families who apply through the Neighborhood Service Center. First and foremost are the essentials, socks, underwear, winter jackets, etc, with the toys coming last. “Each family gets to pick one toy, for example let's say they want a Polly Pocket,” says Born. “But the essentials come first.” 

For 24 years Boxcar Bar owner Schmidt has carried on the tradition of giving, taking over for Gary Ross and family,  who were responsible for helping start the Santa Anonymous auction in 1995. That same year, Bill Harguth took on the role of auctioneer, one which he served, possibly for the final time, Saturday night. Harguth, 84, did half duty alongside  Landon Flatness. 

Helping with the program are more than a dozen volunteers, many of whom are family members and friends to Tae and Todd, including Ashley Edwards, Brittany Ziemke, Jacob Nikoley, Kelsey Kahnke, Corbin Born;, Russ and Ashley Frederick, Randy, Jason and Noah Schmidt, Tyler Huber, Tim Von Bank, and Bill Harguth. 

“Please credit Todd Schmidt,” Born praised. “He’s the number-one guy on the deal; he finds the help.

“We send out dozens of letters in early November asking for donations. We accept items right up until the day of the auction,” Born continued. “We like to be involved with the community. Local owners, local businesses. We all take pride in giving back to our community.

“It takes a village.”