Brighton auction remembers Matt Keller

Countless people showed up for a fundraising auction and pool tournament Saturday in Brighton.

The event was initially intended to raise funds for the medical bills of resident Matt Keller, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. After he died two days before the fundraiser, the revenue was re-purposed for his family.

Keller’s mother, Kathianne Keller, said she was blown away by the turnout.

“It was overwhelming, I didn’t realize my son had so many great friends,” she said. “It just amazed me, what the community has done.”

Brighton Chamber of Commerce President David McArtor said turnout was high despite the unfortunate change in situations.

“It was a very, very emotional experience for a lot of people,” McArtor said. “The family reached out to us, and we felt that that’s what we should do to help … It was a different atmosphere, yes, but we all knew we were there for that mission.”

While McArtor could not disclose the exact amount of money raised by the event, he said it exceeded expectations, coming in at five digits.

“It was the highest amount raised to date in Brighton at CaMander’s Bar and Grill,” he said. “All the Chamber did was organize it and help get donations, the town and the people did their job.”

McArtor said auction items ranged from home-baked pies to a water softener to a football signed by University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz.

“That’s what I love about living in small-town Iowa,” he said. “It’s just phenomenal when you get people together like this.”