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Source: The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.迷你倉Oct. 20--ALTON -- An Alton auctioneer is organizing a fund-raiser to help an area volunteer rescue, recovery and body transport organization that is hurting financially."I saw it in the paper (Telegraph) that they needed help; they've been here a long time," said George Carroll, owner of Hilltop Auction and Banquet Center, regarding the Alton Volunteer Emergency Corps.Carroll is planning the first of what he hopes will be an annual event, a pig roast and auction benefit, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Hilltop, 2612 Fosterburg Road, Alton. Carroll is working with Tracy Merritt, AVEC treasurer, in soliciting donations for the silent and oral auctions, as well as selling advance tickets to the fund-raiser.Tickets now cost $20 per person and $35 per couple. Price will increase to $25 per person at the door, which includes a sit-down dinner with side dishes and non-alcoholic beverages. People can purchase beer at extra cost.There also will be a deejay playing music and a 50/50 raffle.The Telegraph article ran Aug. 12, with Merritt saying the not-for-profit organization was in danger of disbanding in the next six months, as it operates solely on donations. She said since then, the group has been holding steady financially -- no better, no worse.AVEC, founded 65 years ago, had 15 to 20 members several years ago, but was down to seven in August.She said AVEC responded to 75 calls last year, among them to transport bodies of people who die in car crashes or from suicide, homicide or any other unnatural deaths, to the Madison County Morgue in Wood River. AVEC also aids emergency responders and the public in water and ground searches, rescue and recovery, natural disaster aid, and members provide safety at runs and other local events, all for free.While Carroll is not affiliated with AVEC, he said his father performed similar tasks in the 1960s as a 儲存倉olunteer, special deputy for the Madison County Sheriff's Department."I was around all that kind of stuff. I would hate to see it close," he said about AVEC. "I remember sitting at my dad's side and thinking, 'I hope I never have to need this.'"He said the AVEC event will be only the second fund-raising auction he has held.Merritt said she is grateful Carroll has taken it upon himself to organize and hold the pig roast and auction, soliciting donations for all expenses."I think that was amazing for him to do this; he has really been giving," she said. "He has been calling people he knows, helping out. We are all in this together. We are trying to get donations, and the big thing is ticket sales. We are working on it together and, hopefully, it will come together and be a fun night."While both Carroll and Merritt are bringing in donations for the auctions, they need even more of them to make it a successful night for AVEC."I wish somebody would donate a car or truck or boat they are no longer using -- a big-ticket item," he said. "We would like to have new items, not yard sale items."Among larger items people have donated are a new, king-sized mattress and box springs set and loads of rock. There also will be a number of themed baskets for sale at the silent auction."Donations are always welcome," Merritt agreed, particularly higher-priced items.Donations are tax-deductible, and Merritt said she can provide a confirmation letter to donors who want to deduct their gifts on their tax returns. She said people can mail checks or gift card donations to AVEC at 2400 Bloomer Drive, Alton IL 62002.To arrange pick-up of auction donations or to buy tickets, call Merritt at (618) 570-4126, or Carroll at (618) 779-2965.lweller@thetelegraph.comCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) Visit The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) at .thetelegraph.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉最平