The Friends Program auction has been going strong for the past 10 years, and this year will not disappoint. On May 21, gather at the Grappone Conference Center for the annual auction that not only gives you the opportunity to bring home a one-of-kind piece of art but also a chance to name a Concord street (We think “Insider Way” has a nice ring to it. Just sayin’.)

Most important, it’s all for a good cause. The dough raised from silent and live auction items will be pvied up between the organization’s different programs (see “What is the Friends Program” to learn more). Each year, the organization stops midway through the auction to spotlight one project that needs some extra help during the Fund-a-Need portion. Last year, $62,000 was raised for the Friends Program’s Transitional Housing Project. With that money, the program was able to hire a case manager and place two families from the emergency housing shelter into their very own apartments. This year, Fund-a-Need will ask auction goers to bid or make pledges to benefit the Junior/Senior Mentoring program. Think of all those junior/senior buddies you can help out.

Admission to the auction is $40, which includes a light dinner provided by the Courtyard Marriott. Even if your purse strings are a little tight, it’s still fun to watch the hubbub of a live auction. Plus, the evening will be kicked off with an icebreaker game where participants will be eligible to win a two-night stay at the Omni Mount Washington Resort.

For those of you who have been saving your pennies, here are some of the items you can bid on:

Live auction:

– Furniture master David Lamb designed this year’s template for area artists to take a stab at. Eighteen Shaker-style blanket chests will be up for grabs, much like Doris McGurrin’s creation (minus the sheep – that’s exclusive to Doris).

– Bid on one (or several) of 10 artist-choice items including a dollhouse, still life, a vibrant half-round table, a steel sculpture inspired by the state Legislative Office Building and more.
q Potentially scratch “create and name my own flavor of ice cream ” off your bucket list. Ten specialty items will be auctioned off that you’ll have some fun with. Create and name items include: a burger at The Barley House, a drink at the Granite Restaurant, a margarita at Hermanos, ice cream at Granite State Candy Shoppe and a sandwich at The Works Bakery and Cafe. Other opportunities include: Name a Concord street, your own film night at Red River Theatres, personal fly fishing instructing with New Hampshire fly fishing guide Angus Boozeman, Red Sox/Yankees tickets and more.

Silent auction:

Artwork, gift certificates to your favorite Concord spots, a portrait session with photographer Cory Garland and more could be yours if you make a silent bid. The Friends Program is expecting around 30 items to be donated, so be sure to check the website often as it gets closer to May 21 – new items are constantly being added.

Other plans May 21?

If you can’t attend the auction but see something you just have to have, call the Friends Program’s executive director Jerry Madden, at 228-1193 to make a proxy bid (silent auction items and the icebreaker prize are not eligible). Be sure to visit friendsprogram.org as it gets closer to May 21 – new items are constantly being added and there are pictures of many of the items.

This Friends Program auction will be held on May 21 at the Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $40. For more information and a full list of auction items, visit friendsprogram.org.