The Friends Program has been matching volunteers with community members in need since 1975. Over the past decade, its fundraising auction has been an annual tradition for the Who’s Who of Concord. This year will be no different.
The 2013 auction will take place on May 3 at 6 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center. Can’t you just see yourself there? Well, you will be able to see yourself there once you feast your eyes on this year’s signature auction items – handcrafted trumeau-style mirrors! The wood-framed mirrors feature artwork by 11 of Concord’s top artists in a panel above the reflective glass pane, so even if you’re having a bad face day, you’re merely an upward glance away from beauty.
Aside from the mirrors, there is plenty of more traditional original artwork up for auction, none more exciting than the piece by former New Hampshire artist laureate James Aponovich.
“We’ve never really had a fine art piece like this,” said Friends development director Kelley Potenza. (Read more about Aponovich on page 18.)
The fine art doesn’t stop there, as many local talents like James Wolcott and Tom Devaney have donated pieces for the auction.There are also a variety of specialty items, including:
∎ Tickets and a limo ride to see the Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays
∎ A one-week vacation on St. Kitts
∎ Two round-trip tickets to the Azores with six nights of hotel accomdations
∎ A Bravo! shopping experience
∎ A chef’s tasting for six at Granite Restaurant
∎ Create and name your own sandwich at The Works
Auction attendees will also have the chance to bid on a signed and numbered serigraph by children’s book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, who will be on hand signing his books.
Admission to the auction will run you $50 and includes a full dinner and dessert. Of course, the Friends Program is really four programs. There’s the Foster Grandparent program, which sets up retirees with volunteer opportunities in youth-service organizations like schools or group homes, where they can pass on their wisdom to younger generations. The Junior-Senior Friends program links at-risk youth with an older mentor to hang out with. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program matches seniors 55 and older with volunteer positions at places like the Boys and Girls Club and Concord Hospital. And there’s the Emergency Housing Program, which offers shelter to homeless families and helps them get back on your feet.
There are two common themes running through these four programs. One is that they both exemplify a community’s compassion and willingness to help out those in need. The other is that without the money raised at the annual Friends Auction, these programs simply could not operate. What better way to support community service in Concord than to raise money and get one-of-a-kind prizes?
