One of the biggest events of its kind will celebrate 30 years in Salina this weekend. The annual Child Advocacy and Parenting Services, or CAPS Benefit Auction is Saturday. The event is at the Saline County 4-H Building from 11 am – 3:00 pm.
CAPS Executive Director Loris Blake tells KSAL News the auction event over the years has grown into a kind of “winter party”.
With original planning members Morea Charvat and Mary Jane Mortimer still involved, the auction stays true to its roots in offering celebrity autographed memorabilia. Celebrity items this year include among others:
- Tyreek Hill signed KC full-sized Chiefs helmet
- A collection of player cards of former KC Chief Derrick Thomas including one with an autograph on it
- 2018-19 University of Kansas team autographed basketball
- Albums framed and signed by Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Whitney Houston, Dan Fogelberg, The Who, Huey Lewis, Marvin Gay
- Autographed album of Paul Newman and Robert Redford from “The Sting”
Locally donated items include trips to Estes Park and Steamboat Springs; tickets to KU basketball and KSU football games; specialty dinners, gift baskets for men and women, original art, photography, furniture and even a soil survey.
The goal is to raise $80,000. Volunteers have dedicated to countless hours to meeting CAPS’ mission and know that their efforts will impact children who have experienced abuse or witnessed a violent crime. They understand that CAPS staff visits the homes of struggling families providing legal advocacy, teaching parents family management skills and giving them more tools for their parenting toolbox. They have invested personally into our organization through their time and treasure and are a vital part of our ability to improve children’s lives and strengthen families.
Forty percent of CAPS’ $1.5 million budget comes from fundraising and individual contributions making the success of this day vital to the agency. All services are available to anyone in the community for no charge and served just under 9,000 children in families from Saline, Ottawa and Dickinson counties last year.
Doors open at 10 am with free admission and affordable lunch by Bill Fekas. His famous chicken noodles and pulled pork sandwiches are paired with chips, pie and a drink for the pre-event price for $10. Without a ticket, lunch can be purchased ala carte. A kid’s PBJ sack lunch is available at the event for $5.
