The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group wrapped up their ten-day-long online auction on April 10th and raised $58,000 in sales, not including the extra donations received along the way.
Volunteer President Naomi Fehr shared how the auction went and the kind of impact it makes for the families that are a part of CCCSG.
The Candlelighters Online Auction
Fehr shared that the auction had fairly loose parameters for the cost of what was posted, but there was still a wide range of items available.
“We had a little bit of everything, you know, you didn’t have to have a ton of money... We had prizes of all different values, ranging from, I think, the lowest bid was three dollars on something, and then the highest bid was twenty-five hundred.”
With donations, she said that the total amount of funds raised was roughly $65,000.
Cost of operations
Looking back on the previous year, Fehr said that these funds will be a big help, but they aren’t quite where they need to be just yet.
“We spent about $150,000 last year, so this does cover a big chunk of our budget but now quite everything, we still rely on donations from both individuals and donations, and grants as well,” she shared, adding, “With this amazing amount, we’re hoping to maybe increase some of the funds that we can give to families that have lost a child to cancer.”
Among the services that Candlelighters offers—providing care packages for families, hot meals, and assisting in funeral costs when it is needed, Fehr said that a large part of their mission is connecting families and children with each other.
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“We plan events throughout the year, so kids can connect with each other outside of a hospital setting. Often when they’re getting treatment, they’re in this little room, or if they’re in the hospital, they don’t get the chance to spend time with other kids who are going through similar things.”
She also said that those events aren’t just for the kids, but they also try to connect parents as well, saying that many people make lifelong friends along the way.
The public response
The families involved with Candlelighters have been incredibly positive, according to Fehr.
“They’re just so grateful, because they know and they see it what this money can do for families like theirs. And as a board, we’ve all gone through it as well, and so we try to do things that we know will hit close to home, and matter where it counts.”
She shared her thanks for the community support they have received along the way, saying that the relationships they have built have been incredible.
“That’s kind of why we stay on Facebook, we don’t go to a website. We love the interactions people have with each other, and people look forward to bidding against certain people during the auction.”
To stay up to date with what the Candlelighters are up to, or to make a donation, visit their website or social media pages.
