In their effort to recoup losses totaling about $100,000 brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the first-ever online auction to benefit Crooked Creek Christian Camp south of Washington will be open for bidding now through Sunday.

Organizers don’t have a set dollar goal to raise for the auction, but Camp Executive Director Heather Bender says any money brought in will help their day-to-day operations, “Just the everyday things that go along with running a business. Paying our staff, paying our bills, those types of expenses.” 

Bender says COVID-19 concerns caused many camps and guest groups to cancel events resulting in a summer unlike any other they’ve had before. And while guests have continued to cancel as winter sets in, Bender says they are open and ready to host groups of almost any size, “And we’re doing everything on our end to make sure our staff stays safe. We keep the facilities safe and sanitized. Yeah, we’re still here and we would love to keep hosting as we can.”  

Crooked Creek Program Director Saralyn Oyer says the virtual auction will feature over 250 items up for bid including a trip for four to Mexico, plus many locally-produced items with bidding open from 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 1 through 6 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at MennoniteAuctions.org.