The “29th Annual Night of Stars Gala” event to benefit the American Cancer Society and Iowa River Hospice was held Saturday evening at the Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

The event featured a cocktail hour, a buffet dinner, a silent auction and a live auction for those in attendance.

Among the items that were featured on the two auctions were Murder Mystery dinner tickets, Iowa-Iowa State football game tickets, and a children’s birthday party at the Marshalltown fire station.

Saturday’s auction raised $43,000 with all proceeds directly benefitting the American Cancer Society and Iowa River Hospice.

Local organizers also report that 66 Days of Care were sold for Iowa River Hospice, along with 15 Hope Lodge days, with the overall goal of $61,000 being easily surpassed, according to event organizers.

The final totals from Saturday’s gala event are expected to be announced in a couple of weeks.