T-R PHOTO BY CHUCK FRIEND Fourth grade students in Mrs. Eveleth’s class decorate a fire pit that will be one of the classroom projects to be auctioned during the Harvest Ball for St. Frances Catholic School on Nov. 2.

People living near and far do not have to wait until the annual Blue Jean Harvest Ball help out.

The event is the largest fundraiser for Marshalltown’s St. Francis Catholic School and is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Impala Ballroom in Marshalltown,

“This is the school’s biggest fundraiser and we are trying to accomplish a lot,” said Amanda Speese, classroom project committee spokesperson. “Our goal is to raise $90,000, which is up from the $60,000 goal in the past. But the proceeds all go back to the school and the children this year to build a new playground at the school.”

Coordinator Jill Bidwell said one big change to the ball this year is the online auction.

“We understand that people are busy and several would love to participate in our event and bid on items, but for various reasons may not be able to attend in person,” Bidwell said. “By offering an on-line auction, supporters can bid on silent auction items via their mobile devise from anywhere in the world and support the school.”

Speese added that going online for ticket sales, bidding on auction items and more was a big jump. There are some growing pains associated with it, but said that the committee members are trying to help everyone get used to using the new system.

“Being online is going to be a big help to those who wish to help fund the project or bid on an item, but are going to be unable to attend the ball in person,” Speese said. “For people who are not as tech savvy as others, we will have people at the event that will be able to help them use their cell phones to make their purchase or bid.”

Some items to bid on include:

• Lunch with Governor Reynolds

• Meal Prep and Holiday Wreath Making Classes

• Limo Rides through Jolly Holiday Lights

• A Traeger Grill and more.

More than 70 items have been donated so far. The most current list of items can be found on the auction website. Bidding opens Wed. Oct 30. Anyone who wants to support can register on the auction website to purchase tickets, make a donation or create an online account to bid on items remotely or in person.

Also in the auction will be classroom projects made by each class including:

• A class picture

• An all-school puzzle

• A large-size Jenga game

• Two tables

• A fire pit

• Wind chimes and more.

Of course cash and check donations are still accepted and can be mailed to St. Francis Catholic School, Attention Harvest Ball, 310 Columbus Dr., Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158.

Early bird tickets are available until Oct. 25 with $10 off the purchase price of $55 per person or $100 per couples.

In addition to the auction, there will be one hour of special entertainment, a social hour which will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner prepared by Marshalltown natives will be served at 6 p.m. The band for the evening is “Plug Nickel.”

“Ninety-thousand dollars is an aggressive goal, but with the entertainment, auction items and dinner we have planned, I really think we can make it,” Speese concluded.

TO MAKE ONLINE BIDS GO TO:

https://one.bidpal.net/harvestball