MRAAA to host 28th Annual Charity Auction
MRAAA Director of Development and Planning Bobbie Johnson, and Director of Communications Steve Harmic prepare auction items for display at the Anne S. Thacik Charity Auction planned for October 12. Online bidding for silent auction items opened on September 25. (Provided photo)
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – Would you like to create a special burger or beef jerky flavor, attend the NASCAR Hall of Fame, spend a weekend in Pittsburgh or go to a professional sporting event?
Well, you can bid on all these items and more during the 28th Annual Anne. S. Thacik Charity Auction, the Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging’s (MRAAA) largest annual fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 12.
This annual event involves both online and in person bidding on a wide variety of things donated by the local community.
Some of the unique auction items up for bid this year include a vacation package to Charlotte, North Carolina, including tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame; the Dented Keg Experience, which affords the winner a chance to create and name their own burger that will then be available on the menu at the Dented Keg in Clearfield, plus a certificate for lunch for two; tickets to professional and collegiate sporting events; sports memorabilia; a weekend in Pittsburgh; half a beef from Rhines Farm in Brookville, donated by Vision Creative Solutions; a triaxle load of fire wood, (approximately 10 cords) cut and delivered, donated by CJ Teats Trucking, Inc., and JDM Enterprises; and a Beef Stick/Jerky Experience where the winning bidder will have the chance to develop, produce and name a beef stick or jerky flavor with the Country Butcher, donated by the Country Butcher, according to a recent press release.
The live event will be held at the Copper Court Event Center at 512 Arnold Ave. in Clearfield with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The cost which includes hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments, is $10 per person.. A 50/50 and other games of chance will also be available. The live bidding starts at 7:00 p.m
The online bidding started on Sept. 25 and will close at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. You can register to bid and view available auction items at https://MRAAA2023.givesmart.com. You can also buy tickets at that site or at the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging offices on Second Street in Clearfield and their location on Cooper Road in Curwensville.
Proceeds benefit programs and services offered by the MRAAA to improve the quality of life for area senior citizens. The auction committee’s goal is to raise $35,000. Last year they raised over $28,600.
Among the things offered by the 501(c)(3) organization is Meals on Wheels which delivers over 800 hot meals each weekday; Centers for Active Living in Clearfield, Coalport, DuBois, Houtzdale, Kylertown, and Mahaffey which provide lunch and education programs; housing for the elderly including Elder Cottages, shared housing and the new Village of Hope; various services to help keep seniors in their home and more.
Anne S. Thacik started the auction that bears her name as the “Wreaths for Reasons & Seasons Auction”. Later the name was changed to honor her work with the elderly.
“She was a strong advocate for senior citizens, not only in Clearfield County, but also across Pennsylvania,” according to information supplied by the agency.
Her accomplishments include being a director of the Clearfield County RSVP, member of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, past president vice president of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Governing Board, past president of the Northwest Regional Council on Aging, and member of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging.
She helped create the Auxiliary to the Area Agency on Aging, known as Friends of the Area Agency on Aging. She received many awards including the Area Agency on Aging Volunteer of the Decade Award. She passed away in 1999.
“Her generosity lives on through her family, friends and colleagues,” it says on the agency’s website.
The 28th Annual Anne S. Thacik Charity Auction is made possible, in part, through sponsorships by Janney Trusted Advisors, JC Fox Construction, Penn Highlands Healthcare, Kurtz Brothers, Hallstrom Construction, Phoenix Physical Therapy, Casteel Chiropractic, C. Classic Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Hembold and Stewart Insurance, Lansberry Trucking, Appalachian Wood Products, Mabel’s Pizza, Encompass Health, Bud’s Electric, Realty One Group, PGP, Johnston, Nelson, Shimmel, and Thomas, LLP, Howell Paving, and Gary and Sons Heating and Cooling.