Santa's Helping Hands 2018 Auction: Biggest Total Yet

$43K Raised During Record-Breaking Auction

Jake Keith sits in the chair on the left as he volunteers as auctioneer for the SHH event.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
For the fourteenth consecutive year, the Santa's Helping Hands charity event (formerly known as Santa's Secret Hands) grew once more, as Edmonson County's most popular local benefit organization drew people from all around at their annual charity auction, held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Brownsville Community Center.

Not to sound like a broken record, but SHH, Inc., again, broke the record for the amount of money raised at both the auction and additional events throughout this year. Auction activities alone raised $43,000 on Saturday.

SHH, Inc., board member Mark Wardlow speaks to the crowd.

"Words can't describe how happy we are for this wonderful turnout and support from our community," said event coordinator Mark Wardlow. "This was overwhelming and we can't wait to put this back into our Edmonson County community."

Ricky Keith volunteered as part of the auction team at the 2018 event.

Saturday's auction also included food sales, donations, and raffle ticket sales for a rifle and shotgun.

The group also hosted a golf cart raffle earlier in the year, along with a newly formed charity golf tournament. Overall, the group has raised $55,000 in 2018, which is another milestone in the group's achievements.

"We'd like to invite everyone to our annual shopping spree, which will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, at 3pm at Walmart on Morgantown Road, in Bowling Green," said Wardlow. "We'll meet in the garden center."

Wardlow and the other selfless board members work diligently all year round to ensure the success of the event, which in turn, means the difference for many needy Edmonson County seniors and children during the holidays.  

One can't have a discussion with Wardlow for very long until he either starts talking about the charity or just helping people in general.

"We're happy," said Wardlow. "Saying 'thank you' isn't enough, but this makes a big difference, so on behalf of everyone at Santa's Helping Hands, thank you."