Delta Children's Home Auction

Annual event raises more than $40,000 in support of area youth

The annual Delta Children's Home Auction proved to be a success this year, raising a total of $42,710.97, including funds from auction sales, auction related cash donations, and the amount donated from the Kennett Cup Golf Tournament.

Auction Chair, Audrey Brannan said, "I thought the event was great and appreciate the community showing support. It is great to have a community like Kennett to support our cause and effort."

The event, hosted on Sunday at the American Legion Building in Kennett, began with a bake sale and silent auction at 12:30 p.m.

The crowd reviewed the items including autographed CD's from Trent Tomlinson and David Nail, gift baskets, holiday rugs, and homemade pickles.

During the Auction, some of the high grossing items included a Shaker Style Secretary, donated by SEMO Woodturners, which brought $1,000; an MLB 2008 All Star game, signed and donated by Sheryl Crow, which brought $700; a personalized magnetic board, donated by Mrs. McHaney's 5th Grade, which brought $600; a child's riding cotton picker toy, donated by Baker Implement Company, which brought $500; a black and gold Indian spirit bag and picture frame, donated by Mrs. Hufford's Class, which brought $490; and painting autographed by various celebrities, donated by Sheryl Crow, which brought $475; and an autographed Mizzou Captain's Football, donated by Paul T and Holly Combs, which brought $450.

Jack Holifield, Bob Holder, and Ryan Holder once again served as the auctioneers for the event.

The Delta Children's Home provides a place where children under the age of 18 can be temporarily placed for various reasons.

The Delta Children's Home is a privately ran organization that was established in the late 1960s by a civic organization known as the Century Club.

The club saw the need for a facility to help children during emergency situations.

The actual idea for the home came from a club member and case worker with Children's Division of Family Services named Evelyn Overall.

In 1978 the home divided from one facility to tow separate facilities due to a ruling by the state that boys and girls must be separated and housed in different facilities. The second home was purchased and staffed through local donations, however, the house needed to be renovated. Pete Droke, a local business man, suggested to Dick Hilburn that the board should hold an auction to raise the needed funds. The first official Delta Children's Home Auction was held in the fall of 1978 with Charky Martin serving as the first auction chairperson.

Many of the items for the first auction were hand-made and came from various civic groups, scout troops, churches, clubs, and individuals.

The first year the board raised $2,000, double the amount it had hoped for.

The cost to run the Delta Children's Home is approximately $100,000 per year.

"I want to thank everyone donating and attributing to the bake sale, attending the event, and anyone else attributing in any fashion," Brannan said.

Some information in this story was contributed by staff writer George Anderson.