Published: December 01, 2008 11:31 am      

Jaycees auction is here

Annual fundraiser helps needy youth

DUNCAN — Stephens County residents will have a chance to bid on several items today through Friday as the Duncan Jaycees hold their annual fundraiser.

The auction’s proceeds will go to support the Jaycees clothing program for needy children in Duncan. Jaycee President Jason Farris said the charity is based on need and income. Applications for clothing assistance are given to each child in grades pre-kindergarten to fifth. Farris said 200-300 children usually turn in the application, and from that children who meet requirements are selected.

“It’s one of the larger fundraising events that provides clothing for children,” he said. “A lot of children we provide assistance for wouldn’t get winter clothes without this auction.”

The products seen in the auction are donated by businesses and organizations.

“We go around to local businesses and some individuals in Duncan and ask them to donate merchandise or gift certificates so we can auction that on television,” Farris explained.

People can phone in their bids from 6:30-10:30 p.m. through Thursday and from 6:30 p.m. until all items have been auctioned Friday. The auction will be broadcast on cable channel 10.

The event usually raises between $30,000 and $35,000. All the money raised goes directly to the clothing fund. None is used for Jaycee operational expenses.

“If we have a big year for the auction, it may be $100 or $125 for the kids,” Farris said, adding that the number is also affected by the number of kids being helped.

Wal-Mart, Payless and Goody’s all participate in the program. Children who receive the assistance are notified by letter that they will get help and how much money they have to spend. On the next Saturday following the auction, those children can go shopping at the approved stores, where Jaycee volunteers are waiting to help select items and help the children through a special check-out line.

A variety of items is up for auction this year, including clothing, purses, stuffed animals, Christmas decorations, collectibles, appliances, gift certificates, a Play Station 3, iPods, jewelry and hair products.

“Pretty much if you can think of it, we’ll have it at the auction,” Farris said.