Learning Tree Auction Draws Chestnut Hill Crowds

The  (MALT) auction on Saturday stylishly pushed the instution a step closer to its fundraising goal.

The adult school, which holds some classes in Chestnut Hill, has had a goal of raising $230,000, which would help it purchase the building in which its offices are now house (at 6601 Greene St.). Before the fundraiser, Executive Director Jonna Naylor said, it had raised $140,000 through a variety of different venues.

But after the auction—which took place inside the stunning Oaks Cloister on Wissahickon Avenue in Germantown—Naylor said she expected that total to be closer to $175,000.

She said she hopes things like grants can pay for the remainder of the balance.

"It's amazing to think of MALT being able to buy office space," MALT founder Barbara Bloom said. Bloom was at the event Saturday.

MALT was able to have the event in the Tudor estate after its use was donated by its owners. All night, guests marveled at the many sculptures and paintings present inside.

They did so while bidding on a variety of different items, such as a Vespa, a heli-hiking tour of the Canadian Rockies and a day sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Smaller items included a Black Swan movie poster and a selection of protein shakes.

Naylor said most items were being auctioned off for close to their market value, and some were going for even more than that.

There were about 150 people in attendance.

"The turnout's spectacular," Naylor said. "Everybody seems to be having a really good time."