Auction breaks record

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
The United Fund Pie Auction on Tuesday, Nov. 20, brought in a record-breaking $10,752 to benefit several Weston County organizations, according to Kim Bock with the Weston County United Fund Board. The event was broadcast live over KASL-AM, with an option for people to come to the Weston County Senior Center to purchase items in person. 
“This is the first time we have (gone) well over $10,000,” Bock announced, noting that last year’s fundraiser totaled $9,494. 
The money raised benefits 12 nonprofit organizations that are part of the United Fund. Bock said that there is a difference between the United Fund and United Way and that the Weston County organization is called United Fund, which is less corporate and allows for the money to stay local. 
“All money raised through the pie auction stays in Weston County,” Bock said. 
Donors can choose which organization their baked goods will benefit, but buyers cannot specify a preferred organization. 
“During the pie auction, people cannot designate where the money they are spending will go, but there is a weight in how much the nonprofits bring to how much they receive out of the final total,” Bock said. 
According to Bock, the weighting is based on the number of items each agency brings in. This encourages members of each organization to participate as much as possible, she said. 
The change in how the money is distributed was made several years ago. Initially, the money was divided evenly among the organizations. 
“The money received by each organization is percentage based,” Bock said. “The money goods brought in from the organization equals more money for their group.” 
Bock said the organizations will received their money from the auction at the beginning of 2019. She said that the amount each organization will receive has not been determined yet.
“Money is collected throughout the year to be provided to the organizations and agencies that meet the requirements of being a part of the United Fund,” Bock explained. “Every year the United Fund starts a new campaign, and money is collected throughout the year through personal, employee and business donations, as well as other fundraisers, including the pie auction. At the end of each calendar year, a check is cut for each organization and the United Fund starts over.” 
Bock said that the pie auction is an important part of United Fund’s fundraising efforts because of the community participation. She noted that the auction is the one mass fundraiser the organization does, and that most other money is raised through mail-in donations. 
According to Bock, organizations or agencies can become a part of the United Fund if they are a nonprofit that serves the Weston County community. Requirements specified by the United Fund are that services provided by the agency or organization must be local and stay in the community. Bock noted that some organizations do not qualify because the monies raised would not stay completely local.