The Southern End Community Association (SECA) will host its 28th annual fundraising auction on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Hoffman Building at the Quarryville Fairgrounds, 172 S. Lime St., Quarryville.
The doors will open at 3 p.m. for guests to preview items and to place bids in a silent auction. The live auction will start at 5 p.m. The silent auction will conclude at 8:45 p.m., and the live auction is slated to wrap up at 9 p.m. Bidders do not have to be present at the silent auction's conclusion to be named the winners, and, in fact, remote bidding will be accepted at the auction this year.
Another feature planned for the auction is the Wall of Convenience. Rather than send gift cards across the auction block, prices have been preset for the cards, and attendees may buy whichever ones strike their fancy, no bidding required.
A plethora of items have been donated for the auction, including Philadelphia Eagles tickets; passes to local and regional entertainment venues; original artwork and prints by Novelda Ferguson, Steve Wilson, Art Harrington, and more; and merchandise that ranges from bicycles and microwaves to quilts and car care products. A more thorough listing is available at https://secarec.org/2019/10/26/nov-9-auction-preview/, and new donations are arriving daily.
"The Solanco community was extremely willing to donate to our organization (when we approached them)," said board president Carol Gibson. "We were greeted with smiles and great generosity. Thank you to all the businesses and friends who are helping us make this event a success."
Baked goods have been pledged for the event to satisfy hungry bidders. Grandma Strom's Sandtarts will deliver goodies, and Melissa's Country Grill is slated to bring fresh pies. Tawn Battiste has promised to supply a basket of pumpkin yumminess. Other friends and supporters will supply baked goods and other treats as well.
Additionally, the Solanco post prom committee will sell spaghetti dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. Proceeds from sales of pasta and sauce, rolls, salad, applesauce, and cookies will be used to create an enticing and exciting prom after-party for Solanco High School seniors and their guests in May 2020. Takeouts will be available as well.
Historically held over the course of two days, this is the second year that the auction will take place on just one night. The silent auction has added another facet to the event as well. "Having it all in one day seemed to bring out a bigger crowd (last year)," Gibson remarked. "People were really receptive to the silent auction."
The proceeds from the event will support SECA's programs and general operations. Repairs are slated for the skate rink and the SECA building, 299 Park Ave., Quarryville. Fundraisers enable SECA to offer some events for free, including a family candy bingo and Cookies With Santa that will be held in the coming months. Director Rick Kerns, who was hired after the previous director, Nicole Luecker, took a job with another recreation commission, said that new programs will be rolled out for the spring. In the meantime, a teen trivia event is planned in January, and a trivia night for adults is in the works as well.
"We had so much fun at the last one," Gibson said of the previous trivia night for adults.
For the youngest residents, administrative assistant Celeste Esposito noted that SECA is hoping to get a preschool program going. An event will be held at the SECA building on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for children ages 3 to 6 and accompanying adults. The event will include stories, a take-home craft, and a snack. Those who plan to attend are asked to contact SECA at 717-806-0123 or seca@epix.net to indicate how many children they will be bringing.
For more information about the auction or SECA events and programs, readers may visit http://www.secarec.org. Anyone who would like to make a donation may call Gibson at 717-951-8545 or Kim Risk at 717-278-0881.
Leave a Review