To the editor:

Forty four years ago a group of Brown County locals gathered on the Liar’s Bench in downtown Nashville and discussed a way to ensure that all kids in the Brown County school system have warm clothes for winter. They came up with the idea to gather goods from local merchants and the Brown County Children’s Auction was born.

This group called themselves the “No-Name Committee” and each year since that time the auction has been held on the first Friday in December and all proceeds continue to be used to provide clothing for children in need.

The annual auctions have provided more than $640,000 in clothing and helped many Brown County children. The auction will be held on Friday, Dec. 3 , starting at 6 p.m. at the Brown County Inn in downtown Nashville. The location change was made to provide more space for social distancing.

The auction will feature donated art, crafts, antiques, donated items from local merchants, gift certificates for local restaurants, hotels and many outside organizations including Holiday World and the Cincinnati Reds. Locals donate home baked cookies and prize winning brownies and there is always something really special to bid on.

All proceeds are used to purchase clothing for local children in need. We are now collecting donations and those items can be dropped off at Out of The Ordinary. Cash donations can be made at PNC Bank in Nashville. If you would like to have items picked up or if you have questions, please call 812-320-2601. This is a fun event and you can complete your Christmas shopping in one evening! Come out on Dec. 3 and help us ensure that all children in Brown County have a very merry Christmas!

Carol Birkemeier, Brown County Children’s Fund secretary