By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Henry Countians are stepping up for the annual Helping Hand Auction, even with the changes in format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Helping Hand President Stacy Hayes said Helping Hand has raised $50,000 in cash donations this week and that included memorials given in memory of three people who passed away recently: Carol gallimore, Jim Adams and Betty Paschall.
In addition, a total $6,219 was raised today with over 200 items donated through the Bid Last and Win auction.
Hayes said, “We’ve had a great day”, with a steady stream of donations coming to the Paris Convention Center. Hayes said tomorrow (Saturday, January 16) will be another drop-off day, from 9 a.m. to noon, with the next Bid Last and Win auction set for next Friday.
With the ongoing pandemic, Helping Hand was not able to operate in its traditional live daily Radio Auction format, but will continue taking donations and conducting online/virtual auctions through Feb. 5.
There are three ways for the public to donate to Helping Hand this year: donate to the special Helping Hand account at Commercial Bank and Trust; mail a check to Helping Hand, P.O. Box 22, Paris, Tenn.; and donate through the Venmo app.
The online auction firm Bid Last And Win is teaming up with Helping Hand for a series of four Online/Virtual Simulcast Auctions began today.
Photo: Volunteer Danny Veazy unloads donations today at the Paris Convention Center. (Stacy Hayes photo).