Needed: Buyers at the Delta Children's Home auction

Dunklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Kennett Mason John Spielman, left, and Master of the Kennett Masonic Lodge Jack Crawford, right, offer a donation for a needy child to South Elementary School Counselor Jennifer Nigut, center, Friday at the school. The gift is part of a year-round benevolent project sponsored by the Masons.

[Click to enlarge]

Every year hundreds of people attend the auction and bid generously on the various items offered for sale--such as memorabilia from Sheryl Crow and other celebrities; a piece of handcrafted furniture from the SEMO Woodturners and Woodworkers group, handmade quilts and crafts, new merchandise or gift certificates from local businesses and gift baskets and other items from local school classrooms and organizations.

For more than 40 years the Delta Children's Home has been offering homes for children up to the age of 18. The annual auction helps to provide the money needed to keep the homes open for children in their time of need. There are two homes--one for boys and another for girls--which provide shelter, clothing and food to more than 100 children annually. Most of these children have been removed from their homes by the court system. These children come from all over the Bootheel, may from and abusive or neglected situation and the courts decide to place them in the homes for their protection.

Both of the homes are operated on a budget of approximately $100,000 a year. Most of this money comes from public donations and the auction. Without the public's support, the board would not be able to provide for the children, maintain the homes or run the facilities to keep them open. The homes do not received and federal money to help keep them operation. However, they do receive stipends from the two agencies which refer children to their care.

Incorporated in 1961 as a non-profit organization, the Delta Children's Home is governed by an 10-member board of directors. The members of the board are appointed by the Presiding Judge of the Dunklin County Circuit Court. All directors are volunteers and serve three years terms without compensation.