Buffalo Island St. Jude online auction raises $18,500 and continues

COVID-19 has changed many things this year and the annual Buffalo Island St. Jude live auction is on the list. Organizers refused to let the year go by without continuing the fund raising event to benefit St. Jude.

Buffalo Island St. Jude organization, made up of Buffalo Island citizens, hosted a live auction in 2019 in Monette raising $57,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Larry Bibb, one of the leaders of the event, said a live auction and gathering could not be held this year due to COVID-19 so they went with an alternate plan, utilizing the Buffalo Island St. Jude Online Auction Facebook Page. Biding started Nov. 9.

The online auction was held through Nov. 20 at noon. Drop off and pick-up were held at the Monette Masonic Lodge on Saturday, Nov. 21.

“It was a great success raising $18,500,” Bibb said. “I can’t say enough about the people who donated and purchased items so generously. We exceeded our goal last year with the live auction. We are working on raising an additional $1,500 making the 2020 donation $20,000. We raised over $50,000 last year and I think we will make our $20,000 this year.”

The auction is over but monetary donations will be accepted by calling Bibb at (870) 243-1321; Karen Vaughn (870) 974-0179; Karen Wallace (870) 926-1322; or Jennifer Roach (870) 253-3672. All donations will be appreciated.

All of the funds raised will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.