By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Representatives of 90 organizations will soon be receiving something in the mail that will make them very happy: the checks from the 2021 Helping Hand Radio Auction were mailed out today.
A total $294,500 was raised by this year’s Radio Auction even with the limitations placed on the Auction this year due to COVID-19 protocols.
The checks are distributed to the 90 organizations in the categories of education, safety, youth, health and well-being, emergency funds, community improvement, senior citizens and checks are distributed to the county’s volunteer fire departments.
This year’s President was Stacy Hayes, who oversaw the Helping Hand board’s decision to think outside the box and raise money with different formats, including virtual auctions through Bid Last and Win. Forever Communications and RadioNWTN conducted interviews with representatives of the 90 receiving organizations and Helping Hand board members, and provided daily Helping Hand updates on the air and on our online news sites.
Checks are normally distributed in person at the Helping Hand board’s annual meeting, but due to COVID protocols, the board decided not to hold a large meeting this year.
At this year’s annual meeting, new officers for the 2022 year were elected: President John Berryman, Vice President Danny Veazey, Secretary Mary Kate Ridgeway, and Treasurer Susan Bell.
Next year’s dates were also decided: Auction Dates will be January 10–March 2, 2022. Applications Dates–applications for funds should be in between October 12, 2021 and November 12, 2021.
