The Jefferson County Family YMCA will hold its annual benefit auction Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Corpus Christi Event Center at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6020 Old Antonia Road, in Imperial.
The event, called “Light up the Night,” will feature a live auction, silent auction, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner and live music and dancing.
“We have been virtual for the past three years, and this is our coming back,” said Kasey Holdinghausen Weeks, who chairs the organizing committee.
Kasey Holdinghausen Weeks
“They used to do a different theme every year – Roaring 20s, that kind of thing. But we’ve talked about how we want to keep it a gala event that we run on the same theme year after year, so people can look forward to it. We hope to establish it as an institution in the community.”
Tickets cost $125 per person. Preregistration is required; there will be no ticket sales at the door. Pre-registration for the event ends Nov. 15. Tickets can be ordered online on the Y website.
The dinner will be catered by Bartolino’s, and the Sugar Ray Charles Band, a four-piece cover group from St. Charles, will perform.
Dress is black tie optional, and valet parking will be available. Andrew Held, executive director of the Mercy Health Foundation Jefferson, will be the emcee.
Lots of goodies
The live auction will include some take-it-with-you items and then some that can be enjoyed later. A partial list includes:
■ A pet portrait by a local artist.
“She does an amazing job,” Weeks said. “And she will guarantee delivery in time for Christmas.”
■ An Ultimate Visit with Santa.
“The big guy himself will go to their home, with a cookie-decorating kit donated by the Blue Owl and a professional photographer along to capture the action,” Weeks said.
■ A Tennessee Whiskey Adventure, including a three-night stay in Nashville and a visit to a distillery.
■ St. Louis City soccer game tickets.
■ A one-of-a-kind Santa painting by local artist Coby Redfield.
■ A cottage getaway at the Innsbruck Resort in Warren County.
“This is a three-night stay in a chalet that sleeps eight,” Weeks said. “It has a hot tub, a fire pit, and it’s right on the water, with all the amenities there at the resort.”
■ A barbecue grill.
■ A fully stocked outdoor liquor station.
■ Sports memorabilia, such as an Albert Pujols commemorative home run baseball.
■ A weekend at The Bunkhouse in Bloomsdale.
■ Tickets to the Cirque du Soleil Christmas show at the Fabulous Fox.
Weeks said the Y will offer mobile bidding for the first time at this year’s event.
“It’s a new way to do silent auctions,” she said. “People who are there can bid on the items as always, but also people can go online and bid without being there. It gives us a little more reach into the community, for those who can’t make it to this specific event on this date.”
Table sponsorships are being sold. The following options are available:
■ Elite ($1,000) – eight event tickets, a reserved table with sign, social media recognition with logo or photo.
■ Premium ($2,500) – 10 event tickets; a reserved table with sign; social media recognition with logo or photo; a VIP cocktail hour and silent auction early access; exclusive plated meal with table and bar service; media promotion during the event, including mobile app advertising, display screen, auction booklet and your logo displayed on photo backdrop.
■ Platinum ($5,000) – All premium benefits plus 10 raffle tickets.
Donors interested in contributing to the auction are encouraged to visit the YMCA’s Amazon wish list at a.co/0T8ep0f to purchase an item.
Helping the community
Weeks said 100 percent of the profit from the auction goes to fund YMCA programs.
She said people are aware of the fitness memberships, swimming lessons, basketball leagues and other programs the YMCA has offered over the 40-plus years it’s been in Jefferson County, but they may not be as familiar with its behind-the-scenes charitable works.
“We are thrilled to brag about our mission to help people become the best version of themselves,” she said. “We provide ongoing financial assistance and charitable programs to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and support they need to establish a healthy lifestyle regardless of their ability to pay.”
The Y spends $60,000 annually to ensure families in need may take part in fitness, sports and children’s programs. It issues $17,000 worth of discounted memberships to military members.
Some of its other programs include free exercise classes for those with Parkinson’s disease; water safety classes for children; social connection programs for senior citizens; and the LiveSTRONG program for cancer survivors.
Those who are unable to attend the auction are welcome to stop by the YMCA at 1303 YMCA Drive in Festus and take a leaf from the Giving Tree in the lobby. Each leaf contains a gift suggestion. Cash donations are always welcome. To donate, go to the Gateway YMCA website's “Light Up the Night” page.
For more information about the auction or other YMCA events or programs, call 636-931-9622 or email executive director Rebecca Bishop at rebecca.bishop@gwrymca.org.