Radio personality hosting annual auction fundraiser
Turning Point, McHenry County's advocate for victims of domestic violence, has announced that radio personality Paula McKay of Star 105.5 will serve as "Celebrity Auctioneer" at it's 25th annual fundraising auction on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Dole Mansion/Lakeside Legacy Arts Park on Country Club Road in Crystal Lake.
The evening will feature dinner, entertainment and both a silent and live auction with items donated by area merchants.
This year, in honor of the "Silver Anniversary" of the event, the auction will be a tribute to the "Silver Screen" with a theme of "One Night in Hollywood."
Star 105.5 morning air personality Paula McKay and her husband Joe are "Celebrity Auctioneers" for the event. McKay has long been involved at Turning Point, hosting the agency's 36-hour radiothon. "Take a Stand for Turning Point," in 2006 and 2007.
McKay will speak briefly about her involvement with Turning Point and the issue of domestic violence and then she and her husband Joe Kryc will host the live auction portion of the evening.
One unique item that going up for bids is a Gibson solid-body Les Paul guitar autographed by a veritable who's who of entertainment including David Crosby and Graham Nash of Crosby Stills and Nash, Duff McKagen, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner of Velvet Revolver, Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls, Babyface, head of Arista records and solo artist, Andrew McMahon, lead singer of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, solo artist Beth Hart, actress Emmy Rossum (best known for starring in the film "The Phantom of the Opera").
Also Sara Ramirez, Tony Award winner (for Broadway's "Spamalot") and star of TV's "Grey's Anatomy," and Jerry O'Connell, actor, best known for "Stand By Me," Can't Hardly Wait" and "Jerry Maguire".
The guitar was donated to Turning Point by Rehearsals.com, a division of CenterStaging Musical Corporation and Star 105.5.
Also available that evening will be raffle tickets for a unique jewelry item. Studio 2015 in Woodstock has created and donated a one-of-a-kind pendent featuring yellow gold, white gold, diamonds and a garnet.
"This piece was designed believing in the richness of life." said Studio 2015 pendant designer Kim McKenzie.
"The red center symbolizes life which flows from the heart. A 'Turning Point' comes from the bottom of the heart when the value of change is realized."
Raffle tickets to win the pendant, which is valued at $3,700 will be on sale at the auction for $5 a ticket or six for $25. The winner will be drawn on Dec. 15, so this beautiful pendant can turn up in a lucky someone's Christmas stocking.
Tickets to the event are $75 a person and can be reserved by calling Turning Point at (815) 338-8081.
The auction begins on Oct. 27 with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and live action.
For more information, to make a donation, or to order raffle tickets for the pendant, call Joe Kvidera at Turning Point, (815) 338-8081.