The Domtar Community Advisory Team will host the sixth annual "Community Auction" Feb. 4 at the Ashdown High School to raise money for community improvements and bring the community together for a common cause, foundation officials said.
The auction has collected $175,000 to fund community improvements since the auction began in the fall of 2011, said Tyler Davis, secretary-treasurer for the Ashdown Community
Foundation.
"In early 2011, the idea for the event came from a discussion at a Domtar Community Advisory Team meeting. The committee was discussing needed community development, but was challenged with how to pay for
them," Davis said.
"One of the committee members shared how his hometown in Canada held annual community auctions to raise funds for similar projects. He explained how it worked and the team decided to implement a similar type event,"
he said.
"The auction has proven to be a great way to raise funds for community development projects, but more importantly it is a way for the community to come together for a common cause," Davis said.
The projects funded by the auction include downtown Ashdown with a pocket park, face-lift for the community library, painting, mural, banners, street lights, sidewalk improvements, a pavilion at the city park and horseshoe pit improvements.
The doors open at 4 p.m., and the event begins at 6 p.m. at the high school at 171 S. Locust St.
The event will include a live auction, silent auction, penny auction, bake sale
and prize raffle.
The items being offered for bid include:
- Drone
- Hoverboard
- Firearms
- Yeti coolers
- Hunting accessories
- Electronics
- Razorback items and gift certificates
- Dallas Cowboy items
- Fire pits
A food concession will be available and a children's activity area will be included.
"The committee is working diligently to ensure this is the best auction event. The community auction is a great way for everyone to be able to give back to the community. It's exciting to see what a community can accomplish when they pull together for a cause," said Tammy Waters, a spokeswoman for the community foundation.