When Vern Gannon speaks, people listen. The local auctioneer’s talent for fast talking will be on display Saturday, Sept. 10, at the 2^nd annual Meadowlark Hills Benefit Auction planned for the Utopia Room at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Ave.  Proceeds benefit the Meadowlark Hills Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund, which assists residents in Meadowlark Hills healthcare households who have outlived their financial resources. Once again, Gannon is donating his time and that of his staff members so that more auction revenue will go toward the fund. 

Part of my duties as Development Director has been to meet with residents and family members during their “right-sizing” processes, and I’ve had the pleasure to work over the past year with many cheerful givers. A variety of sofas, chairs, tables, desks, dressers and lamps have been carefully stacked in three storage units around Manhattan, and on the afternoon of Sept. 9, Pat Callaghan and a team of movers will load the contents of our three units and haul the goods to the church. Pat also is generously donating his time and the use of his truck and trailers.

Several residents have let me know that they have items they’d like to give toward this worthwhile effort. Household items, such as decorative glassware, rugs, artwork (decorative and fine art), décor items (inside and outside), gently used small appliances, clocks, holiday items, etc., may be donated again this year, and apt. 401 has been reserved as a collection point. “Real” and costume jewelry received much interest at last year’s sale, and, so far, little has been donated in that category. If you have gemstone pieces or costume jewelry that you no longer wear or need, please consider helping them find new homes through the auction. 

Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. Anything not reserved for the auction will be taken to Trinity Presbyterian Church, one of our six founding churches, for their annual rummage sale on Aug. 27. We will not accept clothing, shoes, books or outdated electronic equipment, such as video cassette recorders and old TVs. Flat-screen models are welcome. 

If you have large donations that cannot be brought to #401, please contact Becky at 323-3843 to arrange a pick-up time.

Volunteers are needed to accept donations during the collection times and the afternoon of Sept. 9 to unpack boxed items and arrange them on tables. If you’re willing to help, please contact Becky.