The Ashdown Community Foundation's seventh annual auction brought the community together to raise $57,000, said committee member Tammy Waters.
The community auction has become an anticipated event raising money for the community and bringing the community together for a common cause, she said.
The auction Jan. 27 in the Ashdown High School included a live, silent and penny auctions and prize raffles. All items were donated by local businesses and community members and the Domtar paper mill.
In the first year, the auction raised $19,000. This was the seventh auction, and the grand total for all seven auctions is $292,000.
"It brought the community together. We're real pleased with the total. It was a full house and the folks were excited. We're getting people participating from Ashdown to the region," Waters said.
The funds have helped pay for painting downtown buildings, adding murals and creating a pocket park. The projects have also improved sidewalks and added new street lights.
The community library received a makeover with murals on the outside walls.
A new pavilion was built at the city park.
People attending the auction completed a survey to provide feedback where they wanted this year's funds to be spent.
The committee will review feedback and then decide what projects to focus on next year, she said.
"We're looking at a grant for a basketball court in the city park.
"We had a conversation with the county judge (Mike Cranford) about redoing the courthouse lights at Christmas. We're excited about the projects," Waters said.
"The reason it's been so successful is that people pulled together," she said.