Hopping to it for scholarship funds
Chamber hosts annual Easter Basket auction
Janie Parish and Joe McNeill set out to auction off 60 baskets in 60 minutes. Photos by EMILY CANNING-DEAN
Tom Stugmyer shows off one of the baskets for auction.
WADSWORTH – There is only one woman in Wadsworth who can convince half a dozen grown men to don bunny ears and walk around The Galaxy banquet room for a good cause and that woman is none other than Janie Parish, executive director of the Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce.
As they have done for several years Parish and her partner in crime Joe McNeill of Westfield Bank took to the podium March 28 with the goal of auctioning off 60 baskets in 60 minutes during the chamber’s annual Easter Basket Auction. As the two of them auctioned off the baskets, chamber volunteers — complete with bunny ears on their heads – wandered around the room showing off each basket so bidders could get a better look.
The proceeds from the auction will fund scholarships for Wadsworth High School students.
According to The Post’s Michael Reynolds, who is serving as president of the chamber board, proceeds from last year’s auction funded 10 $500 scholarships to graduating Wadsworth seniors and one $1,000 scholarship in memory of the chamber’s treasurer and friend David Hopkins.
“Let’s get busy raising money for these great students who certainly know the business community is behind them cheering them on to a successful career,” Reynolds said just before the auction began.
The 60 baskets which were donated by members of the chamber contained a variety of goodies including hotel stays, restaurant gift cards and golf packages.
McNeill pointed out a recurring theme as many of the baskets included chocolate and wine – he found this a little funny as these are two of Parish’s favorite things.
“Do you notice these baskets come to your office already wrapped,” McNeill said to her. “I think there is a reason for that.”
“Yes we need to talk to donors about not wrapping them,” Parish replied.
Somehow the dynamic duo managed to auction off all 60 baskets in less than 60 minutes even with their own witty banter peppered in.
At one point during the auction, when Parish was describing a basket, McNeill needed to pause for a sip of water.
“Keep talking,” he said to Parish as he reached for his glass. “I bet no one has ever told you that before.”
The crowd went wild with laughter.
The Easter Basket Auction originated in 1996 and during that time the chamber has raised more than $94,000 in scholarships for graduating Wadsworth High School seniors.
Scholarship recipients are judged on character, community involvement and grades and recipients are selected by members of the Wadsworth Area Chamber of Scholarship Committee.
As they have done for several years Parish and her partner in crime Joe McNeill of Westfield Bank took to the podium March 28 with the goal of auctioning off 60 baskets in 60 minutes during the chamber’s annual Easter Basket Auction. As the two of them auctioned off the baskets, chamber volunteers — complete with bunny ears on their heads – wandered around the room showing off each basket so bidders could get a better look.
The proceeds from the auction will fund scholarships for Wadsworth High School students.
According to The Post’s Michael Reynolds, who is serving as president of the chamber board, proceeds from last year’s auction funded 10 $500 scholarships to graduating Wadsworth seniors and one $1,000 scholarship in memory of the chamber’s treasurer and friend David Hopkins.
“Let’s get busy raising money for these great students who certainly know the business community is behind them cheering them on to a successful career,” Reynolds said just before the auction began.
The 60 baskets which were donated by members of the chamber contained a variety of goodies including hotel stays, restaurant gift cards and golf packages.
McNeill pointed out a recurring theme as many of the baskets included chocolate and wine – he found this a little funny as these are two of Parish’s favorite things.
“Do you notice these baskets come to your office already wrapped,” McNeill said to her. “I think there is a reason for that.”
“Yes we need to talk to donors about not wrapping them,” Parish replied.
Somehow the dynamic duo managed to auction off all 60 baskets in less than 60 minutes even with their own witty banter peppered in.
At one point during the auction, when Parish was describing a basket, McNeill needed to pause for a sip of water.
“Keep talking,” he said to Parish as he reached for his glass. “I bet no one has ever told you that before.”
The crowd went wild with laughter.
The Easter Basket Auction originated in 1996 and during that time the chamber has raised more than $94,000 in scholarships for graduating Wadsworth High School seniors.
Scholarship recipients are judged on character, community involvement and grades and recipients are selected by members of the Wadsworth Area Chamber of Scholarship Committee.
