Over 600 visitors, an increase of 200 from last year, showed up Sunday to try their luck during the ACS Telethon's 20th Annual Chinese Auction held at the Lakeside Ballroom in Barnesville.

"We were extremely surprised with the amount of people that came this year," said co-chairs Mary Ann Dulaney and Jess Kutza of Coaldale. "We sincerely couldn't have asked for a better turnout."Some of the more than 700 prizes included a $1,500 cash prize, 32 inch high definition television, laptop computer, Apple IPad 2 with Wi-Fi, gas gift card, Hershey Lodge stay, a Kindle Fire, trampoline, muzzleloader, homemade crafts, gift cards for fuel oil, Nascar Sprint Cup tickets and gift cards to area restaurants.Entertainment was provided for the sixth year by Polka Joe and Cody Sassaman. Joe Krushinsky, 26-year telethon chairman and longtime volunteer, served as speaker and ticket caller for the event.Krushinsky said, "The local Carbon-Tamaqua ACS chapter places a strong emphasis on the organization's mission, which is to eliminate cancer as the major health problem by preventing the disease, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service."The proceeds from the Chinese auction will be presented during the annual ACS Telethon set for April 6 and 7 at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe. In addition to being broadcasted live on BRC TV-13 and Service Electric Cable TV (channel 90), photos from the event will be posted every 30 minutes on the Cancer Telethon's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cancertelethon