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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

If you’re looking for a way you can shop for Christmas, help a cause, and maybe save some money, get ready for the Boy Scout Media Auction, sponsored by LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Dec. 3, 6-10 p.m. from the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on the campus of Shawnee State University. More than 125 local businesses and individuals have donated nearly $20,000 worth of items, ranging from sports tickets and memorabilia to furniture, electronics, gift baskets, and gift certificates.

The auction offers 14 “bid boards” along with the “big board.” Each bid board will be open for ten minutes before being turned off and the winning bids are announced.

Dave Wright, scoutmaster of Troop 2 in Portsmouth and Dave Lucas, scoutmaster of Troop 106 in Ironton are serving as this year’s auctioneers and masters of ceremonies. Vicky Hatcher, auction chairman, says it will be a fast-paced auction filled with fun and excitement as well as updates on the Scouting program in our area with special appearances by area Scouts and adult scout leaders and Santa himself. The Boy Scout program provides character development, citizenship training, personal fitness and fun as well as leadership skills to last a lifetime.

“We want everyone to remember that this is an auction to benefit our area Boy Scout program and we hope to bring the “top dollar” for everything offered,” Wright said. “When you support the auction you are giving more boys the opportunity to live and contribute as productive citizens and become our communities’ leaders of tomorrow.”

Hatcher said shoppers may bid on items on the “big board” throughout the evening. The “big board” features ten items with an array of the most in-demand items. Big board items include everything from a Boy Scout themed quilt to a lawn mower, TV, and a golf package including a complete set of clubs, to name a few.

The 14 sponsored “bid boards” feature five items each with gifts of all shapes and sizes. Items include themed baskets, items for the home, relaxation items and various Ohio State items as well as Buckeye football and basketball tickets. Hatcher said shoppers will find a little bit of everything from delectable homemade chocolates from Kim Bauer to electronics for the entire family. A few of their other items include a karaoke machine, bicycles, a fitness package as well as a “runners package” along with electronics for the family and kids and items for your favorite pet.

“Shoppers have various ways of participating this year,” Hatcher said. “They may bid from the comfort of their home while watching the auction live on Time Warner Cable Channel 20 or by logging on to the live stream at the council website www.skcbsa.org/auction or enjoy an evening with friends and neighbors, at the Auction party at the Port City Café and Pub on Chillicothe Street where party-goers may view the auction on big screen TVs. Shoppers can then call in their bids to 740-351-4BSA and the phone bank operators will take their bids,” Hatcher said.

Opal Spears and Brenda Horr are serving as Auction party hostesses and guests will find complimentary light hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction with exclusive items and door prizes. Additionally, a dinner menu will be available as well for those wanting to purchase a meal”, Spears said.

“The auction requires months of work and hours of volunteer support” Hatcher said. “The Media Club from Ohio University, Southern Campus along with Time Warner Cable provide broadcasting capabilities. Thanks to Shawnee State University and especially Leo Schlosser, we are able to present a live production from a first-class stage. Of course we couldn’t do it without the support of our adult Scout volunteers who solicit items, assist with the set-up and work the evening of the auction as stage crew and phone operators. Additionally, our Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venture Scouts assist with the production and we have numerous Scout units contributing baskets and items to this year’s auction boards.”

Hatcher said area residents are encouraged to participate in the auction.

“No matter where or how shoppers watch the live auction, they simply need to call 740-351-4BSA to place their bid on any of the exceptional items,” Hatcher said. “Anyone interested in items available this year may find a partial listing at the Simon Kenton Council website www.skcbsa.org. We hope everyone will select their items of interest and be ready for the big event on Monday evening. Of course, viewers may also make a donation to the Boy Scouts if they don’t find an item of interest,” she continued.

“We encourage the community to support the local businesses supporting this event when they do their Christmas shopping this year.”

For further information on the auction or to join a local Boy Scout unit, call the local Scout Service Center at 740-354-2811.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.