By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The New Year is a special one for Central Kansas CASA. The non-profit that recruits, trains and supports citizen volunteers to advocate in court for the best interests of abused and neglected children is celebrating its 40th year in Great Bend. CASA's Chocolate Auction, which provides 87 percent of the organization's funding each year, has also reached a milestone. Executive Director Jennifer Gregg said there will be some changes for the 20th Chocolate Auction scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Great Bend Events Center.
"We are using the Handbid app for our silent auction," she said. "The silent auction will be all done via the app. Registering early ensures a smooth check-in and bidding process the night of. If guests want to register early and be prepared, that's a great idea. They will be able to preview items via that app as well."
Items in the silent auction may be previewed via the app, and even those without tickets to the auction may bid from home. A live auction will again be held in-person at the event but items in the live auction may also be previewed via the Handbid app. Those not attending in person can arrange with attendees to make bids for them.
Large-ticket items this year include a week-stay at a vacation home in Florida, a train-travel package for four and trolley passes to tour the seven wineries in Hermann, Mo., and a Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs vacation package. Raffle tickets are available via the app for the "Toes in the Sand" giveaway, which is a $3,000 certificate through First National Travel that can be used for any trip.
"Truly, you can take the trip we've customized for two to go to Florida, 4-night stay, mid-sized rental car, and flight, or you can use it as a credit towards the dream vacation of your choosing," Gregg said.
Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Wichita-based Blue Moon Caterers will be handling the meal this year. The Dessert Dash returns for a second year, where the 10 tables with the highest bids can choose from 10 decadent desserts to enjoy. Three diamonds will be up for grabs in the Diamond Cupcake Raffle. Flights of chocolate martinis will again be available.
Tickets for the Chocolate Auction are $60 and available via the Handbid app. Toes in the Sand raffle tickets are one for $25 or five for $100, and may also be purchased via the app. Anyone not wishing to use the app may contact the CASA office at (620) 792-5544 for other arrangements.
More about the Handbid app
✔️ Set It and Forget It: Enter your max bid, and Handbid does the work for you. It automatically bids for you until your max is reached - no more hovering over items!
✔️ Real-Time Updates: Get instant notifications if someone outbids you, so you can jump back in and stay in the game.
✔️ Stress-Free Checkout: Forget standing in line or missing out. With Handbid, you’ll know right away if you’ve won your bid, and checking out is as easy as a tap.
✔️ Bid Anytime, Anywhere: At the event or at home in your pajamas? Doesn’t matter! Handbid lets you bid from anywhere.
Whether you’re a seasoned auction pro or a first-time bidder, Handbid makes it fun, fast, and simple to join the action. Download the app today and start bidding with ease! Search 20th Annual Chocolate Auction in the app to find the event.