YORKWISE seeks donations for 27th annual auction
YORK, Maine — YORKWISE is planning their 27th annual auction and is seeking donations from business owners and individuals.
Due to the pandemic, the annual auction will be held online again from March 16-19. Over the years they have auctioned off African safaris, gift certificates from community businesses, cords of wood, paintings from local artists, used cars, catered dinners and much more.
All the money goes to support programs and events that promote drug and alcohol prevention and education for York kids, their families and the community at large.
“The auction has a tradition of offering an eclectic mix of items that attract a diverse group of bidders,” said YORKWISE auction member Rick Mace.
“We’ll take any items that folks can give – from something as big as a boat to a gently used bike or simply donating one’s time – just about everyone in town has something they can give!” said fellow auction committee member, Vicki Carr.
Carr shared that former Town Clerk Mary-Anne Szeniawski donated a monthly supply of cookies that generated a winning bid of nearly $300 last year.
YORKWISE President Joe Colwell spoke about the impact the auction proceeds have on the organization’s mission to support initiatives that promote alcohol and drug prevention and education for York youth and the broader community.
“COVID has amplified many people’s substance abuse issues as they grapple with the pandemic," Colwell said. "Nearly everyone in town has a family member or loved one struggling with alcohol or drug addiction."
YORKWISE focuses their efforts on initiatives that educate York kids about substance abuse prevention and they provide programs, such as Project Graduation, which they have organized for more than 40 years. YORKWISE even figured out how to ensure that the YHS Class of 2021 had an amazing Project Graduation despite the pandemic challenges.
Colwell said the “the auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it allows us to move forward with finding ways to support the community as we come through the pandemic.” He praised local businesses by saying “we know that local owners get asked by many charitable groups and we’ve had some that have donated to our cause year after year for decades.”
YORKWISE is willing to accept any contribution to the auction though, not surprisingly, big donations raise the largest amounts.
Some families have given a week’s stay at their vacation property in a popular destination. Other examples of donations can be gently used furniture, tickets to sporting events, and professional services.
Anyone interested in donating should contact Vicki Carr at vcarr4911@gmail.com or Joe Colwell at lancecolwell76@gmail.com. This year’s auction will be held from March 16-19. Check out Yorkwise.org for details.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: YORKWISE seeks donations for 27th annual auction
