CHAMBERSBURG, PA – More than $6,000 was raised for seven Franklin County nonprofits during a recent Auction Benefit Mixer sponsored by Gateway Gallery Auction and the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance.
The event put a new spin on a traditional networking mixer by including an auction and was catered by Ledo Pizza of Chambersburg and GearHouse Brewing Company.
“The idea for the mixer benefit auction came in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an event to help local nonprofits raise much needs funds,” explained Heather Kohler, president of Gateway Gallery. “As an auction house that runs hybrid live and online auctions, we are uniquely positioned to offer our services to our community in a fun and unique way.”
Items donated to the nonprofits were auctioned off both live and online and all proceeds from the evening were donated to the participating nonprofits: Franklin County Library System ($950), Boy/Girls Club of Chambersburg & Shippensburg ($515); Rotary Club of Chambersburg Foundation ($760), Totem Pole Playhouse ($1,440), Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation ($600), Leg Up Farm-Franklin County ($850) and Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter ($1,320).
“What a night it ended up being. We had a packed house which was great, Ledo Pizza brought all sorts of amazing food and GearHouse brought some of their amazing beverages,” said Jordan Nace, membership director for CVBA. “We were able to raise just shy of $7000.00 for our seven local nonprofits that participated, so really we couldn’t be happier. We hope we can make this an annual event and expand on this every year to get more of our nonprofits in the area involved. Thank you to everyone that came out and made this event special.”
“Our initial goal was to raise at least $500 per nonprofit during the 2 hour event,” Kohler said. “We were pleased with the turnout and thank our partners Ledo Pizza and GearHouse Brewing.”
“Leg Up Farm is humbled to have been included in the Gateway Gallery Auction event. It presented a fantastic opportunity to further connect with the community and share information on bringing a one-of-a-kind pediatric therapy center to Franklin County,” said Jennifer Hitz, chief development officer for Leg Up. “We were delighted and appreciative of the community’s response, both through their bidding on items as well as individual donations made.”
“The Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation was excited to be part of this innovative auction mixer created by our friends at Gateway Gallery Auction,” said Ginny Harriger, executive director of the Chamber Foundation. “It was not only a wonderful way to bring focus on the good work of local nonprofit organizations in the area, but it allowed our business stakeholders the opportunity to network and donate to wonderful causes.”
