Press Releases
Auction to Raise Funds for Advocates, Still Needs Corporate Sponsors
10/12/06 - NEWS
Contact: Patti Minbiole, ProKids CASA 513/543-8329
Ria Davidson, Ria Davidson Communications 513/398-3532
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PROKIDS 14th ANNUAL AUCTION SET FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2006
Auction, Which Still Needs Corporate Sponsors, Will Raise Funds to Provide Advocates for Children in Foster Care
CINCINNATI, OHIO, October 11, 2006— ProKids will present its 14th Annual Auction Saturday, November 4, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, located in Downtown Cincinnati. The annual auction raises funds necessary to recruit and train Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers for children who have been abused or neglected so severely that they have been removed from their families and placed in the child protection system. The event, which grows in attendance each year and generates approximately 20% of the organization’s annual budget, is expected to draw more than 500 attendees, making it one of the most successful CASA fundraising events in the nation.
“There are more than 1,100 children in the Hamilton County foster care system,” said Tracy Cook, Director of ProKids. “Unfortunately, only about 300 of those children have a ProKids CASA. However, with revenues generated from the auction, as well as support from businesses, the community and our volunteers, ProKids will be able to increase the number of CASAs in Hamilton County, and continue to stop abuse in 99% of our cases.”
The auction patron party preview kicks off at 6 p.m. The silent auction begins at 7 p.m., followed by a dinner buffet served with wine and a live auction at 9 p.m. Tickets are $100.00 per person, or $125.00 per patron. Professional auctioneers, Bryan and Penny Worley and Jerry Jenkins from Worley Auctioneers and Appraisers, once again will officiate the bids. Kelly Red and the Hammerheads, a blues and rock band that regularly plays at Jeff Ruby’s Restaurant downtown, will provide lively entertainment.
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Evelyn White and her team of volunteers have secured over 400 items for the auction, including trips, jewelry, behind-the-scenes tours, a Reds Private Suite, original artwork, gift certificates, and more. However, ProKids continues to seek new auction items, as well as Corporate Sponsors for this event. The fundraiser attracts hundreds of the areas top business and philanthropic leaders -- a prime audience for sponsors. Potential contributors, volunteers and/or sponsors should contact Chris Conlan, Senior Development Director for ProKids at 487-6448.
For 25 years, ProKids has been speaking up for a group of children few people know much about: children who have been abused or neglected so severely they have been removed from their families and placed in the child protection system. These children typically live in temporary foster homes. ProKids CASA volunteers establish a relationship with the child, investigate their living situation and challenge the system to provide for child’s best interests. Most important, CASAs work to help find a safe, permanent and nurturing home for every child. For more information about helping Cincinnati’s abused and neglected children, please call 281-2000 or visit www.prokids.org.
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