PITTSTON TWP. — More than 150 area residents turned out Thursday night to take their best shot at winning a variety of chairs, gift baskets, vacations, event tickets and other prizes at Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s annual “A Chair Affair.”
The attendees bid on a variety of items at the group’s Pittston Township facility. Junior Achievement is a national organization that teaches grade-school students financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.
“We’re trying to teach kids the practical standpoint about finances — how to budget, how to balance a checkbook or work an ATM card,” said Junior Achievement board Chairwoman Chris Bedwick.
She explained that local schools use the program in the classroom with teachers performing 12 lessons at school before students come to the center for a hands-on class. Elementary school students participate in the Junior Achievement BizTown Program, and middle-to-high school students go into Junior Achievement Finance Park.
“It’s all hands-on,” said Junior Achievement President Melissa Turlip. “It’s very real world.”
West Pittston native and Fidelity Bank employee John Serafin was admiring his newly won items before carrying them out to his car. He said that he’s been coming to the event since it began, adding that the bank is also one of the event’s sponsors.
“It’s a wonderful event,” he said as he held a wooden box full of winery items.
The box wasn’t the only thing Serafin won at the auction.
Sitting along the wall were two large wooden lounge chairs.
“(They were) the man chairs. I had to have them,” he said as he turned and pointed.
Bedwick said that the chairs Serafin won were crafted by students at the Susquehanna County Career and Technical Center.
Guests also sampled goods from more than 16 food and beverage vendors and listened to live music.
Silent auctions for the chairs were split into two groups, one at 6:30 and 7:30, respectively, as well as a raffle for “Chance Chairs,” which also included tickets to New York City, an overnight stay at Mohegan Sun Pocono and dinner for two at Rustic Kitchen and a pet bed with accessories. Holiday-themed raffles were also available to enter that included a grand prize of $1,000 in gift cards featuring stores such as Boscov’s, Target and Best Buy.
Lauren O’Shea attended the event for the first time with her husband, Tim, who recently became a member of the group’s board. She said she was impressed with how well the night turned out.
“They had a great turnout, wonderful music,” she said.
“It’s great to see all the local institutions come out to support the Junior Achievement,” Tim added.
As the winners for the auction were announced, Alissa and Scott Dana, of Kingston, sat and listened. Alissa came to the event because the company she works for, Mericle Commercial Real Estate, helped sponsor the event.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for students to get real-life experience,” she said.
Elated that she had the winning bid on an autumn-themed basket, Alissa’s attention went over to Scott, who also placed a bid.
“I’m trying to win a RailRiders gift bag,” he said, explaining that he and a friend previously purchased season tickets. “We like to support local teams and local players.”
All items for the auctions were donated from local schools and businesses, as well as all food and beverages. The event was sponsored by Mericle, Jacobi Capital Management, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply, Independent Graphics Inc., and Bedwick and Jones Printing. It was hosted by State Farm Insurance, local agent Christie Bonnice.
