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Richmond Christmas Fund launches first online auction

The Richmond Christmas Fund has cancelled many of its fundraisers due to COVID-19 restrictions this year, but Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) -- which operates the Christmas Fund program -- is not willing to budge on its biggest annual auction
Richmond Christmas Fund co-chairs
From left to right: Richmond Christmas Fund Co-chairs Rob Howard, Michael Chiu, and Wayne Duzita led a 12-member volunteer committee in organizing the Christmas Fund’s first ever online auction. Photo submitted

The  Richmond Christmas Fund has cancelled many of its fundraisers due to COVID-19 restrictions this year, but Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) -- which operates the Christmas Fund program -- is not willing to budge on its biggest annual auction event.

The non-profit's "Not So Silent Night" auction, dubbed this year "A Not So Isolated Night 2020," will be held online for the first time Nov. 26 to Dec. 1.

All proceeds from the auction go towards the Christmas Fund program, which hopefully will serve upwards of 2,700 low-income residents with grocery vouchers, toys, books and gift cards for the holidays.

The public auction will feature more than 120 items, which were donated by local businesses and supporters.

Items on this year’s auction list include electronics, appliances, rounds of golf, restaurant gift cards, bottles of wine and more.

Ed Gavsie, president of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), which operates the Christmas Fund program, said they received “more donations than (they) could have imagine” and are grateful for the generosity of the community.

“This year, so many businesses are struggling. That they still came through for us shows that the Richmond community really is like (a) family,” said Gavsie.

“Even if we can’t gather in groups, everyone deserves to share in the holiday spirit. With the community by our side, the Christmas Fund will help make that possible.”To view the auction, visit ChristmasFund.GiveSmart.com