FSS Chairish the Children event is Friday

Monday, May 16, 2011
This antique high chair, decorated by Comprehensive Services clients with the help of Donna DeBoer, is one of more than 20 in the Family Support Services Chairish the Children silent auction this Friday. More of the chairs can be viewed at www.bannergraphic.com/gallery/chairish.

When Family Support Services began planning a chair auction as its first major fundraiser in at least 10 years, organizers hoped to get 10 or 12 decorated chairs.

Instead, the response from the community has been overwhelming, with more than 20 chairs turned in already, and several more to come.

"I had hoped for 10 chairs, and we have really exceeded my expectations for how the community would come together for this," Executive Director Cari Cox said.

The chairs will be available at a silent auction Friday evening from 5:30-7 p.m. at the new Family Support Services Office at 22 W. Washington St.

The auction is part of a busy evening that includes the organization's annual board meeting from 5-5:15 p.m. and an open house from 5:15-7 p.m. Events will include live music from The Fret Set, hors' d'oevres and an awards presentation.

"We've moved to a new location, so we want to have an open house," Cox said.

Cox got the idea for a chair fundraiser from an event in the Terre Haute area, as well as Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, which does a similar event by the same name.

"We thought it was something we were not aware of being done around here," Cox said. A similar event was hosted for the Greencastle Presbyterian Church's SAWs mission last month, but both events were in the planning stages at the same time.

Themes of the decorated chairs include safari, fairy princess, beautification, the Putnam County Museum, spring garden, expression of art, busy chair and animal. Individuals have contributed chairs, but many have come from organizations such as the Greencastle Civic League, the Humane Society of Putnam County, Head Start, the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau and several others.

The chair's can be viewed at the FSS Facebook page (user name: Pc Fss) or at www.bannergraphic.com/gallery/chairish.

Cox said Putnam County Comprehensive Services got its clients involved with the creation of the decorations on its antique high chair.

"That was what this was really about -- groups getting together for a good cause," Cox said.

Early bidding on chairs begins today and must be done in person at 22 W. Washington St. Early bidding closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The evening will also include the introduction of new board members, as well as the new slate of officers, president Deborah Miller, vice president Beverly Richardson, treasurer Deanna Neese and secretary Christy Schmeckebier.

Additionally, the winner of the Bessie Rector Award and child abuse prevention poster winners will be announced.

"It should be a really good time," Cox said. "I just hope the community comes out and supports it."

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