By By Chandler Myers
The headquarters for the Creek Indian Enterprises was the spot to be Thursday evening for those interested in fun, food and bidding on items in a silent auction to help fund the events hosts as the United Fund of Atmore held its Kick Off Celebration and Silent Auction.
The focus of the event though was to shed light on the United Fund and what it does for the community of Atmore.
United Fund of Atmore board member Sandra Gray said the kick off is to help bring the agencies to the event and help give the community an idea of what each one does.
As a part of bringing the agencies to the event, each one sends a delegate that shares what their specific organization does for the community.
United Fund of Atmore President Ann Glavan said by having a member of each agency present it helps answer questions the general public might have.
At the kick off and silent auction, guests came in and mingled with each other, looked at the items up for bid, which included a Wind Creek Casino &Hotel package for two that featured a stay for two, dinner for two at the Fire Steakhouse and trips to the newly opened spa and cooking studio at the resort. This prize sold to the top bidder for $280.
Other items included a golf package that included rounds of golf and 12 Boo Weekley autographed golf balls, which went for $110 and a 2009 South Alabama Jaguars inaugural football signed by head coach Joey Jones that sold to a bidder for $80.
All of the money from the auction goes to the United Fund towards its goal for the year.
The goal that United Fund has set is the same goal they have had for the previous year, which is $75,000.
The goal is already in motion to meet after the United Fund was presented with checks from Frontier Communications, the Atmore Women’s Club and Young Life of Atmore.
Glavan said that goal is something that the United Fund of Atmore is pushing for and sees as a great goal. She added when local businesses or organizations donate at the kick off it helps give the community a better view of the support it has.
Another bright spot of the evening was the $500 raffle that was won by Escambia County Commissioner Brandon Smith.
After winning the raffle, Smith graciously donated the money back to the United Fund.
Smith said he could not think of any better way to use the money.
Overall, the kick off and silent auction netted $3,300 including the donations from the three organizations, according to board member LeeAnn Allen.
Allen said the event was a success, and she added now the United Fund will begin making contacts around the community to raise funds.