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| By Kate Licht Staff Intern SPRINGFIELD According to the Census Bureau, a record 35.9 million people are homeless, many of whom are children. The Springfield Rescue Mission is hosting their Third Annual Homeless Outreach Online Auction in the hopes of helping some of the homeless in Springfield. The purpose of the Springfield Rescue Mission, according to staff member Julie Barnes, is to "meet the physical and spiritual needs of the hungry, homeless addicted and poor." There are 193 items available for bidding, with nine already closed. Some of the items available for bidding are "exotic vacations, such as a six day Eastbound Transatlantic Dream Cruise, sports memorabilia, toys donated by Kiddly Winks and quilts," Barnes said. The goal of the mission is to raise $5,000, doubling the money earned last year. Barnes said in the 2006 online auction, 31 of 108 items were sold, earning the Rescue Mission $2,500. Some of the more popular items were food baskets, gift certificates and a special item called "Pilot for a Day," in which a pilot from Westover Air Reserve Base would take the winning bidder and let them spend the day with the pilot on the base. This year, the most popular items are Majestic Theater tickets, Red Rose Pizzeria gift certificates and Six Flags New England day passes. Another interesting item up for bids is a two hour sale aboard an American Yacht, with a buy it now price of $1,250. The auctions will end on March 31, promptly at 9 p.m. To see the items or bid on one, please visit www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=spfldrescuemission. All proceeds go to feeding the homeless this Easter and toward caring for the Greater Springfield hungry and homeless. |