It seemingly was junk that filled the Kokomo Event Center on Sunday — opened Wheaties cereal boxes, Coca-Cola bottles aged yellow and a ratty biography of Fred Astaire.
But with hundreds of people perusing the aisles of the We Care Wrap-up Auction, nearly every misfit item had an owner by the end of the day.
The nonprofit organization had the auction to clear out the thousands of donated items it did not sell during its annual telethon, which was Dec. 4-6.
Auctioneers prattled through bids as people shot their arms up to buy anything from furniture to Reynolds Wrap.
We Care did not have the earnings from the wrap-up auction available Sunday, volunteer Becky Varnell said, but they should be ready later today.
The organization raised about $300,000 before Sunday’s auction. More than $200,000 came from the telethon, with an addition $55,980 in donations, and about $45,000 came from the Trim-A-Tree festival auction.
The wrap-up auction began with a boost in donations almost as large as the telethon’s.
Mike Wyant, who manages the We Care Park, and Darrell Blasius, who owns the We Care Christmas tree house, collectively donated $54,200.
Wyant, who donated $50,100, said the park raised about $43,000 last year. The park has had increased earnings for 14 out of the last 15 years, he said.
“They just do it to help others,” he said. “This community supports us so much.”
Not all contributions were four or five figures.
Gail Ennis said he has driven from his Flora home to buy at the We Care auction for the last five years.
This year’s investment was a $40 pink bicycle that he plans to give to his 2-year-old granddaughter.
“I always try to buy something just to help and push,” he said.
Varnell said We Care plans to present allocations to its five agencies and one fund Wednesday during fundraising partner WWKI’s radio show “Male Call.”
We Care disburses funds to the Kokomo Rescue Mission, The Salvation Army, Goodfellows, Bona Vista Rehabilitative Services, the Mental Health America of Howard County’s Holiday Gift Lift program and the We Care Hope Fund.
• Daniel Human is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He can be reached at 765-454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.
Local News
We Care auction closes season
Organization clears out thousands of donated items
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: Police look for witnesses of face-chewing attack
Authorities in Miami are looking for more witnesses after a police officer fatally shot a naked man who refused to stop chewing on the face of another naked man - even after being shot once by the officer - on a busy downtown highway ramp.
-
Witness: naked attacker was chewing on man's face
Miami police have released few details. Police detective says neither man's identity had been determined. Hospital spokesman said Monday the facility would not release information on the victim.
-
Wind farm company seeks tax abatement
Howard County officials are being asked to consider a 10-year tax abatement for the proposed wind farm in the eastern portions of the county.
-
Local ceremonies honor those who fell in combat
Everyone who had gathered Monday afternoon at Darrough Chapel Park was there to remember the hundreds of names below their feet. Each brick in the Howard County Veterans Memorial’s Walk of Honor had the name of a soldier who died in battle.
-
Carver Center selects new director
Former Kokomo city councilman Dennis Morgan is expected to take the reins at the Carver Community Center, just ahead of the annual Ribfest fundraiser.
-
Colts ‘bring blue’ to Kokomo with team’s Fan Fest
The Indianapolis Colts will host a Fan Fest from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 22 at Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St., Kokomo. A free community concert by Poco will begin at 6:30 p.m.
-
$50,000 pantry fundraiser at $4,390
A fundraiser for Howard County food pantries was less than one-tenth of the way to the goal at the campaign’s half-way mark, according to one of the organizers.
-
Fans remember Dan Wheldon at Indy 500
Fans of the Indianapolis 500 took time on race day to remember Dan Wheldon, the popular driver who died in a crash last year at Las Vegas Speedway.
-
Sixth-grader read dictionary twice to prepare for spelling bee
Sixth-grader Pranav Haran spent six weeks reading through the entire dictionary twice.
That’s more than 472,000 word entries.
-
Library building costs may rise to finish project
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Outreach Building is looking good from the outside, but library officials indicated this week they’ll need additional funds to complete the project.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE: Police look for witnesses of face-chewing attack
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
