Turnout at the annual Berean Home auction Saturday exceeded expectations, but donations still are needed to reach staff goals to build a multi-purpose gymnasium for children at the home.

“It went very well. There were tons of people, it truly was standing room only,” said Chris Holley, director-in-training at the Berean Home. “But we still need donations to get to our goal.”

After the final tally was counted, the auction ended up raising close to $16,000, well over the goal of $10,000.

This year’s auction is just one of the fundraising events that the Berean Home holds every year to raise money to provide services and accommodations for the children living there.

Since 1972, the Berean Children’s Home has operated as a residential children’s facility that works with the Department of Human Services to provide children in need a loving home. The Lincoln County facility opened two and a half years ago.

The Home is tasked with assisting each child to mature spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically, Holley said.

“We assist adolescents who are in need of care with a more constructive and positive behaviors by using a family-oriented approach, group and individual therapy, family systems therapy, values therapy and goal setting,” said Executive Director Wendell Davis.

This year’s immediate goal is focused on the construction of a gymnasium that would be used for several purposes. “It would be used as a classroom, an exercise room or even a storage room,” said Holley. Home staff members are hopeful to raise enough cash to construct the gym before the start of school this fall.

The auction was an excellent kickoff event in the effort to get this done.

Saturday auction items ran the gamut from kitchen and home appliances, handmade quilts and throws, professionally framed local art to a New Orleans Saints-inscribed BBQ grill. There was even a giant Yeti cooler packed to the brim with steaks up for bidding. Auction donations came from several church organizations and individual community members. In total, close to a thousand items were auctioned off, said Holley.

The local Hux brothers performed live bluegrass and gospel music, keeping the auction festive. There was plenty of food to calm nervous auction bidders’ stomachs, including hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, snacks and refreshments. The auction lasted four hours, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Kendall Covington took on auctioneer duties at Saturday’s event with some help from assistant auctioneer Tim White. White is also a board member with the home.

Despite the higher-than-anticipated final tally, the home still needs additional donations to reach their goal. Since the Berean Home is a non-profit, it relies upon contributions from individual churches, civic organizations, foundations and businesses.

Those interested in making a donation, or looking for additional information about the home, can call 601-823-5776 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Coming up next, the home will have a day at the park with the Mississippi Braves May 17. More details will be announced as the event draws closer.