By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Helping Hand Radio Auction entered unchartered territory Monday and broke yet another record by hitting the $400,000 mark.
With two more days to go, Helping Hand has now raised $400,913–the highest amount ever. Volunteers at the auction broke out in applause when the news was announced. Auctioneer Ray Compton said, “I just can’t believe it”.
Everyone knew Monday would be a big day from the start, with 24 slates of donations arriving from the India community, Henry County Girl Scouts, Henry County Saddle Club, WRAP, John Mahan Ford and the Buchanan community.
Those groups raised $16,484, with Auctioneer Compton and the Athena Delphian group manning the phones.
Donations represented a wide range of items, from baked goods to full meals to homemade quilts, crafts, benches and more. The pop up camper tent that was donated was auctioned off at the end of the day for $600.
Each year, thousands of dollars is raised for over 80 non-profit organizations.
On Tuesday, items will be donated by Lakeway Village, Mineral Wells Animal Clinic and Lakewood Beta. March 1 is Open to Anyone Day, when the year’s auctioneers take turns to wrap up the year.
It’s broadcast daily on our stations at 104.7 FM/1000 AM. Auction phone is 644 1695. Office phone 644 1833. It’s held each day at the Paris Convention Center.
Photo: Auctioneer Ray Compton at the mike, with Athena Delphian members on the phones. Lance Pierce photo.