ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Partnership for Children is offering parents a chance to get gently used toys for their children and help the organization in its mission.
This week, the Partnership started an online auction offering many of its older items up for grabs.
“All of our materials and equipment have been updated … and we’re getting ready to purchase some new things,” said Katrina Chance, the Partnership’s executive director.
So the auction will help the nonprofit not only clear out space for the new items, but also help purchase them.
Many of the new items, like those the Partnership already has in stock, will be able to be checked out by parents and educators, as well as used by the organization’s staff for programs like Read Across America, which had up to seven classrooms listening in at one time, according to Chance.
Items for bid starting going up on the Partnership’s Facebook page on April 27 and will remain available until bidding ends May 6.
Other information about the auction:
- Each item will have an item number, picture of the item, and beginning bid amount.
- When placing a bid, you must bid the beginning bid amount or higher than the latest bid.
- If outbidding someone, you must tag them on the post, or reply to their comment, letting them know they have been outbid.
- Bids must increase at a minimum of $0.25 increments.
- The person with the highest bid on each item at the end of the auction is the winner.
- Bidding ends at midnight on May 6.
- The winner of each item will be sent a private message for pick-up information.
- Payment is due upon pickup.
- When paying cash, you must have the exact change.
Some of the items are on display in the lobby of Inc. Space, the Partnership’s new location at 115 S. Lawrence Street in Rockingham.
The Partnership recently moved up the road from its former location and now occupies the back section of the building, managed by Inc. Space, which also houses several other companies including the Richmond Observer and Sunset Slush.
The office has multiple shelves packed with books, toys and educational activities and materials.
While the Partnership has been at the new location for nearly a month, Chance said her staff is still trying to organize the space to host activities for families and groups.
The Partnership is planning a community drive-through on June 25, which will give children and their families a chance to learn about resources offered in Rockingham, including the fire department and Discovery Place Kids.
Chance said part of her goal is to help people understand the Partnership’s impact in the community, which includes assisting 237 early childhood educators at more than 30 childcare facilities in the county.
For more information about the auction or the Partnership in general, contact Chance at 910.997.3773, Ext. 24, or kchance@richmondsmartstart.org.
