The Mineola Golden Age Club is always keeping busy in activities. At one recent meeting, members brought in gently used towels and washcloths to deliver to the Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead. This is one of the ways the club gives back to those in need.
A mystery brown bag auction conceived by Ginny Leonhard entailed the soliciting and gathering of items to fill the bags. Lillian Barnola, Leonhard and Ginny Smith prepared the bags for the auction, the proceeds of which benefited America’s VetDogs. This group trains dogs for use by returning veterans who are in need of the support of a canine companion.
The best part of the auction was the bidding on and then the opening of the brown bags. The first bidder was Enes Morello who bid $3 and won a whistling tea kettle, while Barbara Kolsen bid $2 and won three scarves.
Auctioneer Barnola heightened the excitement as she described the wonders that were hidden within the bags. Jim O’Keefe bid on a bag she said contained items that were “very necessary and used every day”, and in his bag he discovered a roll of toilet paper and a box of tissues. Fred Sweetapple bid $2 and won a striped winter scarf and hat.
As bag after bag was bid on and opened and members got into the donating spirit, individual tables began making cash collections for this worthy cause. The final yield from the auction—including bids and donations—was $200, which was presented to America’s VetDogs.
