Staff writer
The Holy Family Parish will have its 11th annual charity auction Sunday at the Pilsen Community Center. In the past decade, the event has grown in size but changed its focus to benefit local people who are in need.
“It started as a bake sale to raise money for overseas missions,” event committee member Sam Oborny said. “Over the years, it expanded to a live and silent auction, and now almost all the money raised stays in Marion County.”
Oborny helped organize this year’s event.
“The committee evolves year to year,” she said. “There are about 10 to 12 gals who helped with it this year.”
Oborny said committee members raised $1,200 in the first year, while last year they raised 10 times that much, logging approximately $12,000.
Organization that the auction benefits include the Marion County Emergency Food Bank, Community Christmas, Main Street Ministries in Hillsboro, the Ministerial Alliance in Marion, as well as families that are in need who are facing a medical crisis.
Local individuals and businesses donations items for patrons to bid on, Oborny said.
Some of the more notable items up for sale include a KU basketball signed Bill Self and this year’s team, a quarter-cow’s worth of processed beef, two half-pigs worth of processed pork, quilts, a handmade patio set made from scrap iron, antique religious items, as well as homemade pies and cookies.
Gift certificates to various businesses and restaurants are also generally awarded as door prizes, she said.
“Everyone is welcome to attend,” she said. “You don’t need to be a member of our church.”