Updates on Benefit Auction for The Lily Jean Fund
- walt kolenda
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
3/19/26: Here's the latest news on an online Benefit Auction for the Lily Jean Fund
LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW ADDED - We'll be hosting a live auction preview open to the public on the day the auction starts: Wednesday, March 25th, from 3 - 7 pm. Stop by and say hi!
The inspection will take place at our location on 159 Maplewood Ave., Gloucester, MA
We've just added more Cape Ann Art to the auction, including a Robert Gruppe oil painting, 2 John Terelak paintings, a George Van Hook and more!
This Charlie Movalli just came in today (3/3/26) and will be added to the catalog soon, along with a bunch of other donations that are in the cue!
All Updates for benefit Lily Jean Fund Auction we're holding, will appear on this page.
We're humbled to have received wonderful responses for donations and offers to help spread the word. Rather than add additional posts, we'll update this page for the Lily Jean Fund Auction
Word of Mouth remains the most critical asset for an auction. Sharing this blog post, subscribing to our email list, or posting a flyer in your community can make a significant difference.
There is still time to donate an item for the auction. Contact us via email at walt@capeannauction.com with the subject line F/V Lily Jean. Please include some photos and details of what you have if possible. We have limitations on what we can accept, how we can allocate it to the auction, and the times available for donations. Generally, we are available by appointment at the auction hall on 159 Maplewood Ave. Mon - Weds. from 10 AM to 5 PM.
From an anonymous donor, we've just received two amazing works of Cape Ann Art! One is by Tom Nicholas, titled Low Tide Gloucester, and the other is by TM Nicholas, an oil on board of a view of the Annisquam River. These are two of the most collected working artists on The Island, and we are extremely grateful for these generous donations! Each of these beautiful paintings retails in the area of $3,000 - $4,000!
As soon as the news broke that the Gloucester F/V Lily Jean went down to sea, with all seven aboard, our shocked and deeply grieving community immediately got to work in every way they could to help, because that’s Gloucester and it's who we are as Americans. We at Cape Ann Auction feel that having an auction is how we can help.
Anyone who would like to contribute sooner, in addition to, or in lieu of the auction, please visit: https://fvlilyjeanfund.org
Benefit Auction Details
Cape Ann Auction is grateful to be part of such a strong and caring community. We feel honored to be part of this fold. Like many of you, we want to help and share in the effort with our community, this is our way of doing that.
One of the biggest strengths of an auction house is its ability to raise funds quickly and efficiently. Inspired by our community, our owners and staff decided to help in a way familiar to our strength as a business—by holding an online auction. We aim to make the auction a community-assisted effort because that contributes to the healing process, possibly more than the funds raised ever could.
In any event, whatever way you decide to participate—whether by sharing a social media post, donating an item, bidding on an item, or telling a friend—we believe all contributions are equal in value if they come from the heart.
Again, we are deeply grateful. May God keep the seven souls lost aboard the F/V Lily Jean, and may God keep Gloucester. Thank you - The Staff of Cape Ann Auction.
How to Participate in the Auction
Registration for our auctions is easy, and you only need to do it once for any auction we run. Look for this button on our auction page, or click the one below.
As usual, all bids start at $1—no reserves, no shills, no nonsense.
100% of the net proceeds, including the buyer's premium, from this auction will be donated to the Lily Jean Fund for the families of those aboard.
Please see the Terms of the sale for payment process. IE: Since the proceeds of the auction, (including the buyer's premium) will go to the 501c, all payments must be made by check.
The auction lots are JUST beginning to be populated, with donations still coming in! The lots will be updated continually through the start of the auction on March 25th. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Please see updates on this blog post for more details as they progress.
Cape Ann Auction and its staff will not bid on any lots donated by the public.
How to Donate
To donate an item for the auction, contact us via email at walt@capeannauction.com with the subject line F/V Lily Jean. Include some photos and details of what you have if possible. We have limitations on what we can accept, how we can allocate it to the auction, and the times available for donations. Generally, we are available by appointment at the auction hall on 159 Maplewood Ave. Mon - Weds. from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Word of Mouth is the best advertising for an auction. We humbly and enthusiastically ask for extra help with this one. You can share this post, sign up for our email list, tell a friend, or post it to your social groups. Every bit helps!
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