Bearfootin’ Auction surpasses $140,000 in proceeds for nonprofits
Bearfootin’ Auction surpasses $140,000 in proceeds for nonprofits
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (October 17, 2022) - In an exciting conclusion of a month-long virtual auction, the 20th annual Bearfootin’ Bear Auction generated $140,250 to benefit local nonprofits. This is a $38,250 increase from the 2021 total and almost three times the amount from the last in-person auction in 2019.
Eight of the bears sold at the Buy Now option for $10,000, which was available through the Thursday leading up to the auction. A total of 63 bidders placed more than 239 bids throughout the auction period.
While the virtual format has replaced the traditional in-person auction for the second year, a countdown celebration was held at the Historic Courthouse Plaza in Downtown Hendersonville. Nonprofit representatives and volunteers cheered on their bears as bids came in during the exciting final minutes of bidding.
“We continue to be surprised and amazed at the success of the Bearfootin’ Auction after pivoting to the virtual bidding format in 2020, it is a true testament to the beautiful work by our local artists and the charitable nature of our local community” said Jamie Carpenter, downtown manager with the City of Hendersonville. “We are also thrilled to share that the Friends of Downtown bear, “Celebration ‘22” painted by Diamond Cash which commemorates the city’s 175th Birthday in 2022 will stay with the city as a fixture in Edward’s Park in the future.”
Part of the proceeds from each bear benefit a designated local nonprofit. The first $3,000 of the winning bid is split with the organizing nonprofit, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, to sustain the event and support the overall Downtown Program. Any amount above the first $3,000 goes entirely to the designated nonprofit (in other words, a maximum of $1,500 per bear will go towards Friends of Downtown Hendersonville).
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ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF DOWNTOWN HENDERSONVILLE
The Friends of Downtown Hendersonville exist to identify, preserve and enhance the key factors that contribute to the authentic small-town urban character of historic downtown Hendersonville. Organizational projects are identified, assessed and prioritized based on their contribution to and potential to enhance and support a vibrant entrepreneurial environment and the livability of downtown.
Photo credit goes to Juls Buckman Photography at https://www.julsbuckmanphotography.com/