Carter Center Winter Weekend Raised $1,322.300

The Carter Center's annual Winter Weekend auction, held Feb. 27 at Port St. Lucie, Fla., raised $1,322,300 - the second-highest amount raised in the event's history - to benefit the not-for-profit Center's initiatives to advance peace and health worldwide.

The highest bid items at the fundraiser were two original paintings by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, which sold for $290,000 each.  Almost 180 items were offered for public auction, including a baseball signed by five presidents, a behind-the-scenes tour of Delta Air Lines, and historic memorabilia from the Carter presidential campaign.

"I want to thank those who bought items at Winter Weekend and all of the Center's supporters for their generosity," said President Carter. "Their belief in the work of The Carter Center is making a difference for some of the most forgotten people in more than 70 nations."

(For photos of the Winter Weekend CLICK HERE.)

Other top bids in the live auction included:

• Fly Fishing Fantasy with President and Mrs. Carter, $60,000;
• Presidential Baseball, $42,500;
• Handmade Manuel Rodriguez Classical Guitar, $35,000;
• Replica of President Carter's Russell Filbeck Rocking Chair, $20,000.

The winner of the "Best Guess" online contest, offering a free package to next year's Winter Weekend event for the person who comes closest to guessing the entire proceeds from the combined live and silent auctions, will be announced soon.

President and Mrs. Carter participate each year in the four-day recreational retreat with friends and supporters held at Club Med in Port St. Lucie, culminating in an auction to benefit The Carter Center.