BEDFORD – O Christmas tree how lovely are thy branches. Many came to bid and see the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, and wreaths up for auction during Saturday’s 30th Lawrence County Interfaith Endeavor Annual Fantasia Christmas Auction held at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds Expo Center.
The 30th Annual L.I.F.E. Fantasia brought in more than $35,000.
The top selling item was a tree decorated by Bedford Federal Savings Bank purchased for $3,000.
“This is a 30-year tradition,” said Donnie Hall, Director of Communications at L.I.F.E. “It is the beginning of the Christmas season followed by the Christmas Parade. It is a change for us as a community to come together and show what the season means and to show the love of Christ to our neighbors”
Stephen Robinson of Robinson Auction Service auctioned 99 items Saturday bringing in more than $35,000.
Carla Bell comes to the auction every year.
“It is just beautiful to see and a nice holiday outing,” she said. “It is a great cause and a great way to start the holiday season. And I get to see people I have not seen in a long time.”
Lora Joyer had her bidder card in hand ready to support L.I.F.E. with bringing home a festive item. She has been attending the annual event for more than seven years.
“I love the cause,” she added. “It’s a great community event and just so much fun.”
L.I.F.E. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that started in 1987. It is a cooperative ministry supported by more than 40 churches throughout Lawrence County.
L.I.F.E. provides emergency food assistance every 30 days and emergency rent or mortgage/utility assistance. In addition, L.I.F.E. sponsors “Life Blessings” for which each student is given a bag of nutritional food on Fridays to take home to help with food insecurity.
The pantry delivers more than 12,000 items each month to families in need.
Here were the judges winning picks.
Adult
- First Place: Phi Beta Psi Sorority Theta Alpha Gamma Bedford Chapter
- Second Place: Bedford Federal Savings Bank
- Third Place: The Family of the late Polly Lindsey
- People’s Choice Englewood Baptist Church
Youth
- First Place: Girl Scout Troop 03220
- Second Place: Brileigh Osterhage
- Third Place: The Eichem Family
- People’s Choice: Brileigh Osterhage
Wreath
- First Place: Wendi Mullis
- Second Place: Flowers from Lambrecht Farm
- Third Place: Marsha Ralston
- People’s Choice: Wendi Mullis
Centerpiece
- First Place: The Day Family
- Second Place: Englewood Baptist Church
- Third Place: The Day Family
- People’s Choice: Paula Herendeen & Darcy Ireland
Specialty
- First Place: Keach & Grove Real Estate
- Second Place: Architectural Stone Sales
- Third Place: Williams Carpenter Realtors
- People’s Choice: Williams Carpenter Realtors
For those unable to make it out to this year’s event and still want to help with LIFE, you can still drop items off food, personal care items, or money donations at the L.I.F.E. Food Pantry located at 1204 I Street in Bedford.
