2024 Auction: Santa's Helping Hands Raises $78K For Local Families

Volunteer auctioneers receive bids at the 20th Annual Santa's Helping Hands benefit auction.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
It may not have been a packed gym at ECHS on Saturday, November 2nd for the 20th Annual Santa's Helping Hands Benefit Auction, but you couldn't tell from the nearly $78,000 that was raised in just a few hours from the enthusiastic buyers from multiple states.

Unique, one-of-a-kind items were prevalent at the annual event, along with vacations, high-end furniture, tools, housewares, and gym full of other in-demand items.

According to SHH Inc, co-founder Mark Wardlow, organizers were expecting a smaller crowd this year, despite the 20th anniversary of the event, due to many uncertainties with the current economy, inflation, and upcoming focus on a big Presidential election.

"We expected a small crowd this year, but folks showed up for the cause," he said.

 

Co-founder Mark Wardlow with his wife in the background, Lorie.

One section of rows of items up for grabs at the SHH Benefit Auction, 2024.

At least five different states were represented at the auction that brought in nearly $80K in only four hours.

Some of the high end items sold included a UK vs. Arkansas basketball package that went for $2300, high profile signed sports memorabilia, and a nonstick cookware set that sold for $1350.

"It takes so many people to make this happen and what a great group we have at not only SHH, but our community as well," Wardlow added. "We'd like to thank ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams, Assistant Principal Nikki Culbreth, and Athletic Director Kyle Pierce for providing everything we needed at the school. Also, thank you to our volunteer auctioneers, Ricky Keith, Jake Keith, and Hunter Ashley for their skills, time, and effort."

SHH works year-round for local families in many other ways besides the annual auction. The group holds multiple raffles throughout the year in addition to an annual golf scramble at Shady Hollow Golf Club, which is the largest benefit event the course hosts during the season.

In addition to aiding local children in need during Christmas, the charity also provides assistance when local families experience house fires, medical emergencies, and other unexpected expense-related instances. This aid is provided all year long and the volunteer board members are constantly searching for other ways to help Edmonson County residents that need that extra "helping hand."

"None of this is possible without the support this community has shown us over the last 20 years," Wardlow said. "Donations somehow continue to grow from individuals and the business community each year. Our little charity that was started as a pretty simple idea 20 years ago has turned into a year-long program of help for Edmonson County families, only. Every penny raised through our raffles, auctions, and golf scrambles goes right back into the families of our own Edmonson County community. Once again, we thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts and we know we are very blessed to live in a place with this kind of support."