Time, tips, paycheques, and everything else that goes with dancing in a strip-a-thon was given to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society on Sunday.

Romana Van Lissum, strip-a-thon organizer and server, hopes the strip-a-thon raised more money than last year's $23,000 total, but the final numbers hadn't come in by The TIMES press deadline.

However, Van Lissum did auction off her bra for $2,500 - $700 more than last year. And several other dancers raised a couple thousand dollars, as well.

"It was awesome. It was standing room only. The room was lit up buzzing with energy," Van Lissum said.

"One of my regulars purchased my book for $20 and then got up on stage, book in hand, in only his briefs. Somebody bought the book for $100," Van Lissum said, adding that she had the bidder return the book to the regular customer, and she donated and signed a new book for the bidder. (Van Lissum just released The Life of a Stripper [Server's book revealing, Nov. 27, The TIMES.)

"We have the best regulars. They want to help out the girls and the charity. They are CaddyShack family," she said.

The dancers have donated in excess of $200,000 since they first began the strip-a-thon 18 years ago, explained Christmas hamper co-chair Tom Cameron.

"The dancers were the ones who had the idea to raise some money," he added.

smclaren@mrtimes.com