This year’s auction by the Friends of V.I. National Park raised a record $28,341, considerably higher than last year’s $15,000 and more than $3,000 over this year’s goal of $25,000.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that it was this big a success,” said Heather Ruhsam, Friends development director.

The auction, which ended Dec. 5, saw some interesting bids. Ruhsam said that the top money raiser was a seven-night summer season stay at Croix Vista Villa on St. John. It raised $4,100, which she said was 93.7 percent of the actual value of the trip.

According to Ruhsam, a three-night stay at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John had the most bids with 13. And a Pamper Package at the Beauty Lounge in Mongoose Junction raised more money than the package’s value. She said that last year, the same thing happened with the Beauty Lounge’s Pamper Package.

The auction garnered a total of 200 bids.

The Friends had a total of 44 items from local and off-island donors on its auction. Ruhsam said that after the auction began on Nov. 19, people contacted the Friends group to donate still more items.

“The response from donors was amazing this year. I am excited by the number of donors who contacted us because of what they had seen in the press, and also by the donations that were made directly through our auction site once bidding had begun,” Ruhsam said. “Our bidders had a lot of great items to choose from, and it shows in our numbers.”

Until last year, the Friends held the annual auction in conjunction with its gala. Ruhsam said the move to separate the gala and the auction turned out to be a good idea because more people could participate. She said the Friends group plans to hold the auction around the same time in subsequent years.

As for the upcoming gala, Ruhsam said it will be held Feb. 5 at Butterfly Beach, a villa located in Fish Bay.

The money raised through the auction, the gala and other activities goes to support Friends activities.

Reach the Friends group at 779-4940 or www.friendsvinp.org.