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Annual auction is a popular fundraiser.
By Jenni Ragland
Wondering what to do with that old, broken-down musical instrument or other odds and ends just taking up space?
People in Anchorage, Alaska, know what to do.
Transformed Treasures, an annual event that promotes the recycling of donated goods, has become one of Anchorage’s most popular fundraisers to benefit The Salvation Army.
With support from BP and several others, all proceeds are made available through grants from the Women’s Auxiliary to the Army’s nine local programs that include educational curriculum, recreational equipment, camp scholarships and even facility improvements. In 2010, the auxiliary contributed $25,000 to the Anchorage Corps Community Center’s recently completed capital project.
This year, over 65 local artists and crafters participated, creating more than 100 items for auction to the highest bidder. One attention-getter was Michelle Devine’s “Long-Legged Lucy,” a sculpture made from assorted gears, plant hangers, clamps and a chandelier. Another talked about item was a brass trumpet table lamp by Laura Orr, which was fully functional and included an inverted wooden salad bowl as its base and tea-dyed sheet music decoupaged onto the lampshade.
Vince Libertino, a graduate of The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Program, shared his story of transformation. For 25 years, Libertino traveled a path littered with poor choices. The Salvation Army was his last chance—prison the only other option. Never expecting this would be the turning point in his life, he eventually found a relationship with Christ and people who genuinely cared about him. He completed the program, recently celebrated 17 months of sobriety and will soon be enrolled as a Salvation Army soldier.
Major Sheryl Tollerud, Alaska divisional director of women’s ministries, who worked with the committee to plan the event, said, “Transformed Treasures is a great event because it allows us to share the message and ministry of the Army so clearly—Jesus changes people; Jesus refashions and redeems lives. We are able to share how we see miracles every day in our programs that energize the women of the auxiliary, inspire the artists who participate, stir excitement in our community for the Army and connect us to 500 new people!”
