By Megan Wehring
DRIPPING SPRINGS – The 27th Annual Friends Foundation Fundraiser will look a little different with a virtual auction that will run Oct. 1 through Oct. 8. The event supports the foundation’s programs and services that benefit individuals 60 and older in the Dripping Springs area.
Registration for the auction and purchasing Gold Tickets will open on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 a.m. and close Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. The Gold Ticket winner, selected from an electronic drawing, will choose from various feature items including a chauffeured wine tour for two to four guests from Discover Texas Wine Tours, a framed collection of arrowheads, a two-night Hill Country Casitas stay and Hawk's Shadow Winery combo, along with other items.
The remaining feature items and all other items will be up for bidding when the auction opens at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.
While many organizations have faced numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation has continued to provide services to its clients.
“Despite the COVID outbreak, we haven’t turned anyone away or decreased our services,” Kathy Carriker, Friends Foundation president, said. “We are proud to continue to offer socially-distanced friendly visits during meal deliveries. These are often some of the only face-to-face interactions that our clients have.”
The Friends Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-based organization with the mission in mind: “Doing good deeds to meet the elderly’s needs.” Whether living in a nursing home, independent living center or at their own home, the foundation is committed to helping those individuals in need.
Our Daily Bread, a hot meal delivery service, has served more than 50,000 meals to elderly clients in their homes. While the clients are receiving prepared meals, Carriker said they also enjoy the company with every visit.
“The people that we see are just as thrilled to have us there for a short visit as they are to have the food,” Carriker said. “We are sometimes the only other humans they see during the week.”
The online auction and fundraising event help finance other programs and services including the Philips Lifeline Program that provides medical emergency alert devices. Financial assistance is also given to low-income elderly for necessities such as utility bills, rent or medical expenses.
“These services are critical to help seniors stay healthy and to live independently,” Carriker said. “Because our senior neighbors are more isolated right now than ever before, we find that more people have a need for access to the Philips Lifeline medical alert system.”
Volunteers are the heart of the Friends Foundation. Carriker said support from the community helps sustain the services that are essential to elderly clients.
“Dripping Springs just has a heart for volunteering,” Carriker said. “There are some great people that make our programs work. We couldn’t do it without them and they do it joyfully.”
For more information about the virtual auction, visit the Friends Foundation website or call (512) 592-1345.
