United Way of Jasper County to host fundraiser Friday night

What do Nolan Ryan, Richard Petty, Billy Crystal, Hayden Fry and Jewel all have in common? They’ve all signed a piece of memorabilia that will be available for purchase at the upcoming United Way of Jasper County  Autograph and Experience Auction. The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Fore Seasons Golf, 6232 Highway S74 S. in Newton. Doors open at 6 p.m.

There will be items available for just about everyone — from sports collectors to fans of television, movies, music, politics and even astronauts.

More than 200 autographs and memorabilia pieces will be silent and live auctioned including autographed items from Derek Jeter, Jimmy Carter, Emmitt Smith, Bubba Watson, Arnold Palmer, Condoleeza Rice, Jimmy Smits, Reba McEntire, Dick Butkus, Kurt Warner, Channing Tatium, a spacial set of mini helmets signed by Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, and many others.

“There isn’t anything like it,” UWJC Executive Director and auction event organizer Jessica Lowe said. “It’s fun to hear how people connect with the pieces personally. People buy them for Christmas presents, or to add to their own collection, or to support the agencies. It’s just a really fun, unique evening.”

New to the auction is the addition of experiences. Sen. Chaz Allen donated a tour of the Iowa Capitol and lunch for four. Jimmy Small donated a unique IndyCar fan package which includes VIP access, suite tickets and a pace car ride. WHO TV-13 meteorologist Jariann Ritter donated a week’s worth of personalized forecasts.

“The thing that is different compared to previous fundraisers is this one is not only autograph material but is experiences where people can purchase a unique encounter with sports or recreation in places you wouldn’t normally have access to,” Lowe said.

Admission to the event is free and appetizers will be provided by Okoboji Bar and Grill of Newton. Fore Seasons owners Dave and Dawn Peters donated the venue space.

The UWJC will also raffle off an autographed full-size football jersey that is signed by either a NFL Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner or current NFL star. Tickets for the mystery item are $5 for one or $20 for five.

The purpose of the event is to help raise money for the Jasper County United Way which supports 19 nonprofit community agencies that provide community services, often times critical. The UWJC has a 2016 goal of $320,000 to raise and divide up among those agencies. From utility assistance to food banks to transportation to a medical appointment to Girl Scouts memberships, its services are endless and open to everyone in the county. Nearly 13,000 county residents received services from a JCUW agency last year with more than 130,000 contacts made.

United Way of Jasper County  partner agencies include: American Red Cross, Baxter Early Learning Center, Boy Scouts Troop 346, Camp Fire, Clearview Recovery, Inc., Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter, Crisis Intervention Services, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, Jasper County Council for the Prevention of Child, Kid Assist, Inc., Newton YMCA, Peck Child Development Center, Progress Industries, Project Iowa, Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Jasper County, Salvation Army, Skiff Hospice, Public Health and ER and Willowbrook.

To learn more about the autograph auction and the JCUW, visit www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofJasperCounty/

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com