The local not-for-profit group Indiana Business Opportunity Partners, also known as iBOP, holds several events throughout the year to support area charities.
iBOP hosted the ninth annual Winter Wonderland Charity Bazaar and Quarter Paddle Auction Nov. 9 at Baker Youth Club (BYC) in Warsaw. The Charity of Focus was Isaiah 11 Ministry, although additional funds were raised and donated to Combined Community Services (CCS) through the sale of raffle basket tickets.
Isaiah 11 Ministry works to help individuals that are struggling with life issues to find comfort and healing using animals along with Biblical and clinical principles.
The bazaar featured area direct-sales vendors and crafters. The first 25 patrons through the doors received a free swag bag containing valuable coupons and gifts. During the auction, admission tickets were exchanged for a numbered auction paddle. Bidders then raised their paddles and supplied a quarter per retail level of the item up for sale, entering them into a drawing for that item.
iBOP presented a check for $2,495.56 to Isaiah 11 Ministry.
To learn more about Isaiah 11 Ministry visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/Isaiah11Ministry.
iBOP chose also to partner with CCS with a donation from the raffle basket proceeds from the event. Each iBOP member donated an item from their direct sales business to the raffle basket. Patrons purchased raffle basket tickets for the opportunity to win the basket valued at over $130.
CCS provides comfort, hope and resources for neighbors in need. CCS removes barriers for low-income or in-crisis residents of Kosciusko County by offering “a hand up, not a hand out.”
To learn more about Combined Community Services, visit its website at https://ccsgives.com/
For those who missed the event or for those who attended and want to join for the next event, iBOP will be hosting their next Bazaar and Quarter Paddle Auction fundraiser March 21 at the BYC in Warsaw. The Charity of Focus is Beloved: Not Forgotten.
To learn more about the mission of Beloved: Not Forgotten, visit its website at www.belovednotforgotten.net.
Vendors are currently being accepted for this event. The Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for all ages to attend.
The quarter paddle auction portion of the event will be held from 1 p.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. with no one under the age of 18 allowed. Tickets will be required for entry.
There will be approximately 100 items up for bid from the vendors and crafters.
For tickets to the event, to join iBOP’s networking group, or for vendor information, contact Betty at 574-527-6005, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/iBOPfans or the upcoming website at www.ibopnetworks.org.
To nominate a Charity of Focus for a future iBOP event or to donate items to be used for the Quarter Paddle Auction, contact Betty Swanson at 574-527-6005.
