Catoosa Organization Acting in Disaster has set a goal of $750,000 to help meet the needs of area families affected by the April 27 tornadoes, and the Rebuild Ringgold Auction and Raffle will help it get there.
- Auction: The online auction opened today with 80 items to bid on. Bidding continues through 7 p.m. Nov. 13.
"Among the items is a beautiful quilt, 'Delectable Mountains,' from the quilters of Ringgold United Methodist Church," said Mary Carpenter, vice president of marketing for Gateway Bank & Trust, which is facilitating the campaign. "There are several baskets highlighting local businesses and their merchandise, luxury travel packages [and] sports items, including many featuring SEC football and NASCAR."
There are two ways to link to the auction: Visit www.gwbt.com or www.pottsbrothers.com and click on the Rebuild Ringgold Auction link.
- Raffle: Tickets for raffle prizes are being sold for $5 each for the drawing on Dec. 2. Carpenter said the raffle prizes include a Vizio 42-inch, 3D, high-definition TV; a signed Josh Turner guitar; and a signed Dan Marino football.
Many items are on display and tickets are being sold at the three Gateway locations: 769 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe; 5102 Old Alabama Road, Ringgold; and 2329 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga.
According to Phil Ledbetter, COAD was formed from many of the volunteer organizations that initially responded to the disaster. The organization has assisted 162 families since its official inception several weeks after the tornadoes and is working on eight houses as total rebuilds, he said.
"It takes about $45,000 per house to purchase materials," he said. "Homeowners must use all funds given from insurance, FEMA grants and disaster loans toward the costs of rebuilding before COAD addresses their unmet needs."
Ledbetter said the organization has raised about $350,000 so far.
- Donations: In addition to participating in the Rebuild Ringgold Auction and Raffle, tax-deductible donations may be made at Gateway and other area banks or mailed to COAD, P.O. Box 53, Ringgold, GA 30736. Donors also may give through PayPal at www.catoosacoad.com.
For more information, call Mary Carpenter at 706-965-1508.