Tri-State United Way agencies team up for auction

Bidders will help raise funds for regional chapters as they shop

By Erienne Greene / Journal Staff Writer

Shown here is a 1921 Dodge car, which a winning bidder will be able to ride in for a historic tour of Martinsburg complete with a chauffeur. It’s one of the prizes in an online auction that will benefit local United Way organizations. (Submitted photo)

MARTINSBURG - The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle is offering holiday shoppers an online auction where they are sure to find great deals on unique items, all while helping to raise money for the nonprofit organization.

Sponsored by Charles Town Races & Slots, the Tri-State Lives United auction was created when four regional chapters of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle teamed together. The chapters are located in Berkeley County as well as Franklin County, Pa., Frederick County, Md. and Washington County, Md.

Similar to eBay, the online auction will not only offer bidders great deals on select items, making the upcoming holiday shopping season a bit more convenient, but it will also help raise funds for each of the local United Way programs. Online bidding for the auction begins Saturday and will continue through Dec. 8.

Some of the items up for bid include several pieces of fine jewelry from Christian Caine Jewelers in Shepherdstown, a tour of historic Martinsburg in a 1921 Dodge car with a chauffeur and a Charles Town Races & Slots package that includes an overnight stay at the new Inn at Charles Town as well as a $250 gift certificate to dine at the Skyline Terrace.

"This auction is a great example of how residents in the Tri-State area can purchase some unique items or packages, and at the same time provide a benefit back to the community," said Tracey Eberling, chairperson for the Tri-State Lives United online auction.

On Dec. 4, the online auction will be featured on T.V. on NBC25 along with a live show from the Valley Mall in Hagerstown. The program will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be hosted by NBC25 personalities Lou Scally and Diana Moon.

The auction Web site will be available at www.unitedwayauctions.org or through local United Way web sites.

More information about the auction or the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle is available by calling Vicki Shean at (304) 596-5529 or e-mailing uwepdrd@comcast.net.

- Staff writer Erienne Greene can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 183, or egreene@journal-news.net