Emily Gillilan from Peoples Bank talks to Judy Weber about the mums up for auction at the EVE Inc. 42nd Benefit Auction Friday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

EVE Inc. held its 42nd Benefit Auction Friday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta.

“This event is so important for us,” event organizer Robin Bozian said. “We’re just grateful to the community for their continued generosity and for making this such a fun and successful evening.”

Bozian said the event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, supporting the important work the organization does. EVE Inc. is the service agency and shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and has served the community since 1981.

The auction featured a wide selection of donated items, ranging from practical services like tire rotations and house pressure washing to unique artworks, handcrafted quilts, and even a smoker donated by the Zonta Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Bozian said an overnight stay at the Lafayette Hotel, baskets filled with goodies, and an array of jewelry donated by Baker and Baker Jewelers were also up for bid.

Bill Edwards, Peggy Byers and Bob Byers talk before the live auction at the EVE Inc. 42nd Benefit Auction Friday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“We have literally something for everyone,” Bozian said. “The generosity of our community is always so heartwarming to see.”

She said the auctioneers for the event, Charlie and Keelan McLeish, have been donating their time for years, helping to make the auction a fun and lively experience. She said even if people didn’t win the item they were bidding on, they still helped to support the shelter by attending.

“Even just showing up is a donation,” Bozian said. “Just showing up is a way of supporting us.”

According to their Facebook page, between Jan. 1 and June 30, EVE’s clients received over 60 hours of free counseling with licensed counselors who specialize in supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Within that same timeframe, legal advocates provided 63 hours of direct legal advocacy support. Legal advocates help survivors navigate the legal system, understand their rights and connect them to resources, the post said.

People line up at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta Friday as they wait to register for the EVE Inc. 42nd Benefit Auction. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

EVE also facilitated 223 hours of support groups to survivors in shelter and in the community.

Mayor Josh Schlicher said events like these are very important to organizations like EVE Inc. because there aren’t funds in the city budget to support them.

“We want everyone to get the help and support they need when they need it,” Schlicher said. “So events like this where the community comes out to support organizations like Eve are very important.”

One of the items at the EVE Inc. 42nd Benefit Auction Friday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta was four tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game that included shirts and hats. Other items available were tire rotations, house pressure washing work, unique artworks, handcrafted quilts, and even a smoker donated by the Zonta Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)