JG-TC.com > News > May Merriment auction goes down memory lane

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SPECIAL SECTION

ONLINE POLL

ONLINE EXTRAS

Shop Smart, Shop Local

SITE TOOLS

OTHER LINKS

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 10:31 PM CDT
May Merriment auction goes down memory lane

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — The YMCA Board of Directors will celebrate 20 years of helping the community during the May Merriment Benefit Auction on May 16.

“Memories & Milestones” is the theme of this year’s YMCA fundraiser. The evening event in the Eastern Illinois University Grand Ballroom helps provide scholarships and support to children and adults so they can benefit from YMCA services.

“When you consider the value of people helped by YMCA about $80,000 has been given away to people in our community,” said YMCA Board of Directors Chairwoman Michele Lensink.

For children, May Merriment is about year-round fun in the pool, soccer and dodge ball leagues. For adults, it can provide participation in fitness programs at the Y, Lensink said.

“I’ve been with YMCA for about 10 years. I have kids 8 and 11 and that is why I like doing volunteer work for the Y. You really feel you are helping the community and offering a sense of community through the programs,” Lensink said.

The fundraiser will feature its annual silent and live auctions with a wide variety of donated items and trip packages, including a trip to California for a stay in Dick Lumpkin’s cottage in winery country. Other auction opportunities include trip packages to St. Louis and Chicago, paintings, a wine cooler, autographed sports memorabilia, lamps, dolls, premium purses, a wooden block entertainment table and tools.

“Our fundraiser is about more than a benefit dinner or noted speaker. We offer some fun through the auctions and social hour,” Lensink said.

Adding to the fun will be piano performances by Derrick Maninfior. Music has been a tradition at many May Merriments, Lensink said.

“We’ve had jazz and Elvis, too. And some piano music seemed right for our theme this year,” she said.

The social hour starts at 5 p.m., followed by the silent auction at 7 p.m. RSVPs can be arranged with Julie Easton by calling 235-9622. Tickets can be sold per couple or tables — business sponsorships are welcome. The event includes Hors d’Oeuvres and an elegant dinner.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

Add your comments

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Not already registered?
Then click Here.

Comment policy:

JG-TC.com encourages readers to engage in civil conversation with their neighbors. Comments that are submitted are not posted to the site immediately. They go into a queue to be moderated and may take several hours to be reviewed. Comments posted on Saturday may not be reviewed until Sunday afternoon.

In order to keep the page a set width, long lines (mostly long links) will be chopped. Try putting spaces in your links or consider using tinyurl.com to make a smaller link that you can include.

We will never edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.

No comment may contain:

* Potentially libelous statements; such as accusing somebody of a crime, defamation of character, or statements that can harm somebody's reputation.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults, threats, harassment or inciting violence.
* Commercial product promotions.

If you have any questions, please contact our moderator.