Quarters for a cause: Annual auction hosted by local teen center

Ruby Poffinbarger - Staff Writer

The Recharge Teen Center (RTC) is a local nonprofit that serves teenagers in the Monmouth area. Four years ago, Amy Rogers and Jessica Ferguson, along with the Eagle View Community Health System, saw a need for a safe space for individuals ages 13-19. With their work, the center has become incredibly successful and serves students every day from 3-6 and opens as early as noon on shortened days during the week. The work, including Rogers and Ferguson’s pay, is entirely based on grants, fundraising, and donations.

Auctioneers holding up paddles during auction. Photo by Ruby Poffinbarger.

One major fundraising event is the Quarter Auction, which recently took place on Friday, April 10th. Supported by Professor Lori Walters-Kramer and her Small Group Communication class, the event is their biggest fundraising event, establishing itself as an annual tradition, anticipated by the staff and the community collectively.

At 6 pm on Friday, more than 150 community members gathered to support RTC, including state representative Dan Swanson. Everyone was able to bid on the 99 donations, ranging from coupons for local businesses, t-shirts, and baskets full of candy and games. From Monmouth College, donations were received from Admissions, Tartan Threads, Aramark, and ASAP. Donations were not only from businesses in the Monmouth and Galesburg area. Multiple individuals put together baskets as well. Many of these individuals are repeat supporters of the fundraiser.

The event was incredibly successful, raising funds to further support the hard work done by Recharge staff and continue to give the teens of Monmouth a safe place to go and simply be kids.

Recharge Teen Center can be found on Facebook or Eagle View Community Health System’s website for more information.