Newton County residents are invited to come out and bid in the Second annual Veteran’s Auction at the American Legion Hut. The auction, set for 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, is a cooperative effort between American Legion posts 89 and 173 to raise funds for ongoing projects.
Johnny Reeves, commanding officer of American Legion Post 89, said the auction is shaping up to be a great event with food, plenty of items to bid on and a good cause to support. This year, he said, the plan is to split the proceeds from the auction, with half going toward restoration and half going toward construction of the Veterans Memorial Park, which is scheduled to break ground by the end of the year.
“Any money we get, we’re going to split it this year between American Legion and the building of the Veterans Memorial Park,” he said.
Reeves said the auction will be put on by Mike Harris, who operates an auction house in Newton. Harris also organized last year’s auction, he said, and did a fantastic job.
“He helps us. He puts it on every year for us,” he said.
Among the items up for auction will be housewares, tools, antiques and various other items. This year, Reeves said, bidders will have the opportunity to take home their own piece of the historic Legion Hut.
“We had an old piano that was in the hut. I think it was like a 1932 piano,” he said. “Larry Blackburn found the original plaque from when the piano was made, like a bronze plaque. He’s going to frame it and donate it to be auctioned off.”
The piano, Reeves said, has been in the Hut since the 1930s, and now residents will have the chance to bid on a piece of American Legion history.
To make sure the auction is well stocked with fun and interesting items, Reeves said the American Legion is asking the community for donations to the auction. He said anyone looking to declutter, clean out storage or just get rid of some old stuff is encouraged to donate their items to the Legion to be included in the auction.
“Just small knickknacks they’ve got laying around the house. Anything we can auction off,” he said.
If residents want to set up their own booths at the auction to sell items, Reeves said the American Legion is allowing vendors to participate in the event. There is no vendor fee to set up a booth, but the Legion will take a 20 percent sales commission.
“If a vendor wants to bring some items, they’re more than welcome, but we do charge a 20 percent sales commission on them,” he said.
The American Legion will begin accepting donations the week of the auction, Sept. 9, Reeves said. Residents who would like to make a donation can contact him at 601-635-2178 or 601-507-1066. Donations can be dropped off at the American Legion Hut or the Newton County Veterans Service Office.
If a resident has a large number of items to donate or needs help moving them, Reeves said to give him a call, and he will arrange to have them picked up.
