By RYAN SKAITH
Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph will host its annual Empower Auction on Saturday, March 14, at the InspireU venue in downtown St. Joseph.
The event runs from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., and serves as a primary fundraiser to support one-to-one mentoring programs for local youth.
The evening will recognize the 2026 Empower Honorees, a group of local professionals selected for their leadership and community service. This year’s honorees include Ryan and Ann Rush, Kelly Crawford, Courtney Rowe, Rayna Vogan, and the duo of Jennifer Brown and Christy Rippe.
Attendees can expect a program featuring live music, entertainment, and "mission moments" highlighting the organization's impact. The event also includes both silent and live auctions, offering various travel and experience packages.
Proceeds from the auction stay in the community to help Big Brothers Big Sisters create and sustain mentoring relationships. According to the organization, these pairings are designed to ignite the potential of area children and strengthen the local community.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online at empowerauction.com.