James Valley Republican Women held a silent auction, dubbed “Holiday Hope” at the Redfield Carnegie Library from Dec. 9th to Dec. 20th. The purpose of the auction was to raise funds to cover lunch debt in Spink Co. schools.
James Valley Republican Women President Jennifer Boerger said that the group was involved in Caring for America projects. They talked to the schools about projects that could be done for the communities. She said “We asked them if they needed anything like donations or anything like that, and they were all on the consensus that helping with the lunch tickets was the best thing to do. So we came up with this idea of doing silent auctions to help defer some of the costs of the lunch tickets.”
The group wanted to provide a little bit of help and happiness where they could. Boerger added “I mean, everybody is having hard times with the economy and everything.” On hand for the silent auction finale were Boerger, Julia Ratushny, and Robin Harty. The group, part of the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women, was founded a year ago. Boerger said “What we do is, a lot of different things – help support our first responders or military, help with the community Caring for America projects. We do help out with campaigns. We have speakers coming in with different offices, or people who are already in office.”
The group was pleased to be able to hold their silent auction at the library. “We believe that education for our children is a big thing.” Boerger said. She commented on the library building. “I love it at Christmastime, the way they decorate it and everything like that. It’s so nice to bring people into some place where they don’t go often, and have a chance to actually talk and learn about what’s new in the library, and what they have to offer. It’s a good place for us.”
Baskets of items were donated from organizations and businesses in the area. These baskets were set up on tables, where each had a bid sheet placed in front of it. Bids were written at any time during the auction. The winner of each item was its highest bidder. The winners were announced live on social media. Kim Leonhardt and Parish Mechling of the Redfield Area Chamber of Commerce were on site for this. Library director Sarah Lutter-Jones was also present. Funds raised are to be evenly divided and distributed to school districts in Spink Co.

Baskets of goodies were laid out on tables, and each had a sheet of paper for bids. Winners were the highest bidders. Proceeds will help to pay school lunch debt in the county.

Kim Leonhardt of the Chamber and Robin Harty of James Valley Republican Women prepare to go live for the announcement of the winners. Parish Mechling of the Chamber, and Jennifer Boerger of JVRW look on.

The library was all decked out in holiday trim.

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