Published: 10/31/2021 5:00:44 PM
DEERFIELD — A baseball signed by Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams and vintage porcelain sets are a few of the items on sale during an online auction benefiting Deerfield’s 350th anniversary celebration.
The Friends of Deerfield, a local nonprofit that raises money for town activities, is hosting the auction, which began last week and closes Nov. 15, at 11:45 p.m. All proceeds will go toward Deerfield’s 350th celebration in 2023.
In addition, Friends of Deerfield President Jennifer Remillard noted the auction will also help raise awareness about future fundraisers.
“We’re trying to raise money and raise awareness about the Friends of Deerfield as well with the auction,” Remillard said. “We definitely want to foster community and civic pride, and it’s getting the word out about the 350th celebration and about getting people in the community to come together.”
Items in the auction include sports memorabilia such as balls signed by San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana or Philadelphia 76ers Hall of Fame forward Julius Erving. There are also several book collections signed by authors as well as several framed photos and paintings. Local restaurants have donated gift cards, too.
“We have local businesses like Richardson’s Candy Kitchen, Holiday Pizza and Bueno y Sano,” Remillard said. “It’s a double support. You’re supporting the auction by bidding for the items and supporting the local businesses by using the gift card there.”
Remillard added that the auction is a chance for people to potentially complete some of their holiday shopping before the season begins.
“It’s a way to get holiday shopping done early,” Remillard said, “or you might find a treasure for yourself.”
The auction can be accessed from the Friends of Deerfield’s Facebook page or at bit.ly/3pJKqfD.
Scavenger huntThe Friends of Deerfield are also hosting a scavenger hunt fundraiser in November. Teams of up to five people can register by Nov. 9 on the organization’s website. Teams will be asked to find locations in Deerfield based on clues and to take a team photo with the landmark behind them.
The hunt’s clues will be released at 6 a.m. on Nov. 10, and teams will have until Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. to submit their photos. A ceremony will be held at the Civil War monument in Old Deerfield on Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
A donation of $25 per team is recommended when registering. Teams may register on the Friends of Deerfield website and donations may be sent on the Venmo app to @FriendsofDeerfield.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.