Watertown Urban Mission hosts 10th annual fundraising auction
Event features unique, rare and valuable keepsakes, designer purses, jewelry, and extravagant gift baskets made by local churches; celebrity auctioneers Johnny Spezzano, Bunny Gorman and Brian Ashley will conduct the live auction
All year, the most unique donations from the Impossible Dream thrift store have been placed aside for the Watertown Urban Mission to host their big 10 th Annual Fundraising Auction Saturday, April 21, at St. Anthony’s Bingo Hall & Gymnasium, 850 Arsenal St., Watertown.
The auction preview and “cash-and-carry” sale (where the public can purchase designer purses and jewelry at low, fixed prices) will open promptly at 9 a.m. and the live auction will last from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The auction will be bigger and better than ever with unique items to satisfy a wide range of tastes.
“All year, we put aside rare valuables that are donated for the auction,” said Tammy Olivas, Impossible Dream store manager. “We know that people will be thrilled with the selection that
we have this year. A few of the items up for auction will be retro keepsakes, beautiful home décor items, classic antiques, an electric Fender guitar, an amp, authentic fur coats and a large advertising package from Tunes 92.5. Also included will be more than 20 silent auction baskets filled with gift cards and special items from local businesses.
The fundraising event will not only feature a live and silent auction, but also a cash-and-carry sale for hand-selected jewelry and a large assortment of designer handbags.
Additionally, enormous gift baskets from the Watertown Urban Mission’s member churches are donated. Themes this year include 1000 Islands getaway packages, a baby basket, “tour of the town” gift card baskets, a gardening themed basket, a great outdoors basket, and much more. Local churches are sure to submit their best baskets as they compete for the annual WUMBA award which rewards them for raising the most money with their basket.
This year’s live auction will be conducted by Johnny Spezzano of The Border 106.7, Bunny Gorman and Brian Ashley, formerly of WWNY -TV 7.
“Our celebrity auctioneers make this event high energy, thrilling, and successful,” said Olivas. “We would like for the public to know that this event is open to everyone, so please come and
experience the excitement.”
“There will be food and lots of fun to be had at this family event,” said Joanna J. Loomis, executive director. “All proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to support the Watertown Urban Mission’s programs which help people who are suffering through hardships throughout Jefferson County. The Auction is not only a fun event for attendees, but it generates critical support for our programs, which strive to meet ever-growing and changing needs in your community. Together, our six major programs serve your neighbors in need more than 40,000 times each year, in the form of food, shelter, help with prescriptions, infant needs, clothing and household items, help overcoming addiction, home-delivered meals, financial literacy, and much more.”
For more information and updates on this event, visit WatertownUrbanMission.com or Facebook.com/YourMission.