A family vacation at North Carolina's Outer Banks, tickets to Buckeye football games and a golf cap signed by some top golfers are among hundreds of items for sale during Friday's 29th Annual EVE Benefit Auction at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta.
"We started this in 1983 and it's become our biggest fundraiser of the year," said Robin Bozian, co-chair of the auction committee.
Items for Friday evening's silent and live auctions, including many celebrity items, are donated by area individuals and businesses. General admission is $20, or $175 for a table of 10 with advance reservations.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for reviewing and silent bidding. The live auction begins at 8:30 p.m.
"The auction allows the community to participate and help support our organization," Bozian said.
EVE, Inc., provides shelter for those affected by domestic violence as well as support services for victims of sexual assault.
Fact Box
If you go
What: 29th Annual Benefit Auction for EVE, Inc.
Where: Sternwheel Ballroom at the Lafayette Hotel on Front Street in Marietta.
When: Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. for review and silent auction bidding. Live auction begins at 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $20 per person or $175 for a table of 10 with advance reservations.
Reservations: Call 374-5820.
Bozian said the event draws at least a couple of hundred people every year and brings in about $25,000 annually.
Annelle Edwards, co-executive director of EVE, Inc., said money raised during the auction is an important resource.
"We're grateful for the funding and it's always a lot of fun," she said. "And the money goes to meet needs that are not covered by the grants we receive."
Edwards said a portion of funds raised during this year's auction will go toward needed replacement of the shelter's roof.
"It's an older building,and requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance that cannot be paid out of our grant funding," she said. "So the auction proceeds will definitely help with our needs."
Bozian added that some funds raised during Friday's auction will help leverage additional grant monies.
"For every $1 we raise locally, we can draw about $3 to $4 in grant funding," she said.
"And for our small community to raise so much money in one evening says a lot to funding agencies on the regional, state and national level," Bozian said.
In addition to the silent and live auctions, Friday evening's event will include prize drawings, including a door prize of $100 cash.
"Everyone is invited to participate, even if they don't take part in the auction," Bozian added. "It's a great evening."
