By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A major fundraiser begins today for Pivotal Point Transitional Housing of St. Joseph and a chance to view items up for auction will happen this Thursday.
Pivotal Point holds a silent auction to help with fundraising efforts. Over the last two years the auction has been held online due to the pandemic.
Executive Director Melissa Frakes says during last year’s auction Ladies Night was held, which gave people the opportunity to see and touch the auction items.
"So, you really do still get to participate and then you just do all your bidding online," Frakes tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And, we found that that has worked really well as far as the fundraising piece, it has done as well or better for us, but as far as fun I think that adding the thrift store activity has really made it an event."
The silent auction begins today.
Fundraising Coordinator Maddi McKern says fundraising items range from JoeTown minigolf gift cards, to baskets of various items, to even a Go Kart.
"So, it really suits all people, all interests, it's just a whole lot of things," McKern says.
Frakes says many of the items up for auction were donated, but many also come from the Pivotal Point Thrift Shoppe
"We see so many wonderful things, lots of times brand new items come in our back door and we're able to use those, so I think that the community should feel really happy about the fact that the thrift store is an active part of the mission," Frakes explains.
Ladies Night will be held from 6:30-8pm at the Pivotal Point Thrift Shoppe and will show off the 140 items that are up for auction.
Frakes says Ladies Night has helped improve the quality of the event Pivotal Point will hold on September 15th.
"It really helps us emphasize the program and what's important, and why we exist and the mission we find so important," Frakes points out.
Frakes says this fundraiser is all about raising money to help improve lives.
"And now, that is including youth, and we are planning to break ground in the fall for this youth building so we're super excited," she says. "And these funds all help all of that."
The Silent Auction will run today through June 5th. Items can be bid on online HERE.
