By Paige Gurgainers
There is no denying that the Minden St. Jude Auction is an “all hands-on deck” outfit with many working parts going on behind the scenes. It takes all kinds to make this auction successful year after year. Two of the OGs, Charlotte Reynolds and Annette McDaniel, have filled multiple roles since the inception… 50 auctions ago.
Auction chair Laura Hollingsworth describes the duo as being anchors for their team.
“Annette and Charlotte are the longest working volunteers up here. They are two very special ladies and love the St. Jude mission with all their hearts,” she said. “We are blessed beyond measure to have them.
Charlotte can be found sitting behind a computer inputting raffle item bids (probably grateful that she no longer must do it by hand) while Annette is busily taking care of the paperwork that ensues following the announcements of the ones winning all the raffles.
When speaking to these two there is no denying the leaps and bounds the auction has experienced over the last five decades.
“I started working at the auction during the first one,” said Annette. “Mr. Pete Treat came to the Lion’s Club and asked us if we would be interested in helping him do a fundraiser after his child passed away.”
Unknowing at the time that she would be able to relate to his story many years later when her own great-grandson, Brock, would be diagnosed.
Annette frequented St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital while Brock was being treated and was amazed at the differences since her first visit.
“When I first went to St. Jude the kids were behind plexiglass. They were not allowed to touch their loved ones while they were being treated,” she said. “After years of research by the hospital, they are now able to walk up and down the halls and participate in a ton of activities. If you’ve never been or had a child go there, you cannot imagine what that place is like. The best thing is that none of it costs the patient one thin dime.”
St. Jude provides the patient and their families with treatments, transportation, food, housing and much more. They can provide these services at no cost due to donations made by the Minden St. Jude Auction and other supporters throughout the year. It costs approximately $1 million dollars a day to run the facility.
“I never imagined we would make $1 million much less $2 million,” said Annette. “But every donation counts. No matter how big or how small.”
She reflected on the amount that was raised during their first year raffling off everything from Cokes, cakes and covers. She said, “It was just a tad over $25K I believe.”
Charlotte, who began volunteering at the auction when it was still taking place at the radio is fully aware of the work that began Thursday as the auction kicked off.
“After the auction every year, I am so tired, but me being tired for a week is nothing compared to what those kids and their families go through as they are being treated for cancer,” she said. “So, me being tired is worth it. We know why we are up here…it’s for the children.”
The auction will run until Sunday, February 9. You may visit on-site at the Minden Civic Center, or tune in LIVE on KASO-AM 1240 or KBEF-FM 104.5, Optimum cable channel 11 or watch through live stream on the website: www.mindenstjude.com .