Small town auction reaps big rewards for the 18th year
As the main fundraiser for the organization, auction items were collected throughout the year, in preparation for the annual event. This year, there were 427 bid numbers, an above average amount compared to past years.
"We feel really good about the number," said Pat Lang, executive director of the chapter. "The attendance was great. We had a full seating area for breakfast and lunch, and inside the auction barn, those seats were full as well."
Several different auctions were held, including a miscellaneous auction first thing in the morning, followed by separate sales for outdoor items, furniture and quilts. All the items were donated to the Red Cross at no charge and included everything from picnic tables, hanging baskets, weed eaters, and wagons to extension cords, dog and cat food and batteries. The furniture auction boasted beds, dressers, couches, chairs and tables in a variety of woods, such as oak, walnut, cherry and maple, while the ever-popular quilt auction showcased some of the incredible work of Holmes County's finest.
"We had some beautiful quilts this year," Lang said. "These quilts have been made and pieced and quilted by local volunteers."
Estimated earnings from the daylong event are between $38,000 and $42,000, but final numbers have yet to be tallied as monetary donations are still coming in. All of the money raised will support the Holmes County Chapter of the American Red Cross throughout the year, providing disaster services to area residents who are met with traumatic experiences, whether it's a result of a house fire, flooding or an ice storm.
"That's why this is so important," said Lang. The money is used to help assist victims with temporary or permanent housing, as well as regain everyday, necessary items they may have lost in the disaster, be it medical equipment, prescriptions, or even dentures.
"This is our main fundraiser and everyone I've talked to is very pleased with the support we had, from the people attending, to the people who donated, to the people who worked, to the people who did the lunch and bake sale, the breakfast and handled the auction the whole day," explained Lang.
She continued on to credit the volunteers that surround her and make the local organization and auction a success throughout the years. She may oversee them all, helping the separate committees accomplish their goals, but she knows that without their dedication, the chapter wouldn't be able to help as many as they do.
The auction day comes and goes once a year, but according to Lang, the volunteers "just go at it and do it, no questions asked." She continued, "They're the most dedicated group of volunteers that there can be serving Holmes County. They want to serve our Holmes County residents and they want to offer their support."
But just because this year's auction has wrapped doesn't mean the Red Cross will see a break. At the very next chapter meeting, the group will come together to discuss things that worked, as well as things that will need to be changed. Chapter members will converse about the start of their fiscal year, which begins July 1, as well as what they will need for the auction come June 2012.
In the meantime, the Holmes County Chapter of the American Red Cross accepts donations of any kind, whether it is monetary or for next year's auction. Lang encourages anyone that wants to help to keep the Red Cross in mind throughout the year, not just at auction time.
"People can start thinking about it now. We always have (the auction) the last Saturday in June, every year, at Mt. Hope. We need assistance. If folks put that on their calendar and agenda for next year, they can maybe set something back and put 'Red Cross' on it, so when our volunteers go out to pick up donations, they already have something ready for us."
Anything to support the chapter can also be sent to 10 S. Clay St., P.O. Box 70, Millersburg 44654. For more information, contact Pat Lang at langpa@valkyrie.net or by calling the office at 330-674-5861.
Published: June 27, 2011
