Online auction to raise funds for Chamber of Commerce
COSHOCTON – There is something for everyone at the Coshocton County Chamber’s 32nd annual Online Auction, which starts at 9 a.m. Friday, March 14 and ends at noon Saturday, March 22.
“We have so many fun things that people can bid on,” said Amy Stockdale, director of the Chamber of Commerce. “There is a Vera Bradley duffel bag, new donors from Holmes County, gift certificates for massages, tools and some places like Dean’s Jewelry and the House of G.A. Fischer donated gift certificates so you can get what you want.”
There also are lots of gift certificates and gift baskets, like the family fun one sponsored by Miller Funeral Home and one that has $100 worth of Yankee Candles. Gift packages, such as the one for the beach that comes with a huge umbrella to provide you with shade when you get away to enjoy the sand and sun, also are available for purchase.
“We’ve also used social media to help us reach out to direct sellers like Initials Inc., Mary Kay and Thirty-One Gifts,” Stockdale said.
The Chamber also appreciated donations of sports passes to area high school athletic events and the help of local companies such as Annin.
“Thirty-two different flag items were donated by them,” said Connie Lahna, project coordinator.
Nearly 300 items have been collected for the auction.
“The generosity of this community is outstanding,” Stockdale said. “This year we also put together a committee of volunteers that really helped us collect donations.”
That committee included Jandi Adams, Ann Simpson, Amy Hasseman, Stockdale, Barb Wilson, Lahna, Joe Douglass, Shantelle Coffman, Traci Dennis, Tiffany Swigert, Tonja Ward, Valerie Boateng and Debbie Chilcote.
“They were so energetic,” Lahna said.
The Chamber of Commerce also is thankful to the sponsors of the auction: Lity Scrap Yard, Buckeye Brine, MFM Building Products Corp, Central Ohio Technical College, Central Realty, SanCast, Jacob Vanaman, Buckeye Fabric, Excello Fabric Finishers, Jones Metal Products, Jones Zylon, and Home Loan & Savings.
“They provide cash that helps with advertising and marketing of the auction,” Stockdale said. “Anything left over after that is used to buy additional items for the auction.”
She also stressed that all the money raised from this event stays local.
“This is our only fundraiser,” Stockdale said. “It helps us with the operation of our office and marketing our member to member services.”
Once it is live, you can follow the auction at www.coshoctonchamber.com.
“You can spend $20 or $300 on items,” Stockdale said.
Winners can pick up their purchases at the Chamber starting Monday, March 24. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 401 Main St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.
“We have the items now we just need the bidders,” Lahna said.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Business
