The Caring Place will hold its annual fundraising auction and dinner entitled “Love Every Heartbeat” the week of Feb. 8-13. The two events will be different from those in the past because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. According to coordinators, all planned activities be conducted safely with an on-line auction and take-out dinner to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Auction will be conducted on Facebook from Monday thru Saturday, Feb. 1-13. The bidding, which takes place on The Caring Place Auction 2021 group site, will close by units starting with Lot 1 at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Photographs of donated items will be displayed on the site and placed up for bidding as they are received in the weeks prior to bidding. Winners will be announced on the site and may pick up their items at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets for the drive-thru-style Dinner will be sold in advance (by donation) for pickup on Friday, Feb. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the Forks Assembly of God Church. Dinners, including fish or ham entrees, will be packaged by volunteers as take-out orders. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 6. To purchase tickets, please contact The Caring Place at 360-374-5010.

The Caring Place is asking for volunteers to sign up for help with the dinner and auction. Dinner volunteer opportunities include ticket sales, packaging and delivering dinner orders, and kitchen duties. Volunteers are needed to help log and distribute auction items during the last day of the auction. To volunteer, please contact The Caring Place (360-374-5010) or volunteer coordinator, Patty Vaughan at 360-374-9003.

Businesses, organizations, and citizens of Forks may donate items for the auction at any time before Saturday, Feb. 6. Donations may include but are not limited to, both manufactured goods and hand-made items, artwork, personal services, local wilderness expeditions, and baked goods. Cash donations to The Caring Place are also welcomed during the events or anytime during the year.

According to spokeswoman, Deborah Dillon, these annual events provide vital funds for the pregnancy support programs provided to the Forks Community by The Caring Place. “We are honored to serve young families in need by providing pregnancy support, parenting education programs, health services, car seats, and resources such as baby diapers, children’s clothing, blankets and much more,” Dillon said.

“The help we receive from our donors has made it possible to meet our mission of defending life through educating and supporting pregnant couples, bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and educating our community to adopt a godly view of sexuality and the sanctity of human life,” she said.

“Even though the in-person celebration will be limited for this year’s participants, the spirit of togetherness, caring and love will be fostered throughout our community with the generous help and donations to this worthy cause,” Dillon said.