Samaritas Challenges Holiday Shoppers
to ‘Shop with a Purpose’ 

WHAT: Samaritas is hosting an online auction on Sunday, Nov. 15 to help savvy consumers get a jump-start on their holiday shopping. It doesn’t cost anything to peek at the vacation packages and fine art pieces on display and available as a thoughtful holiday gift. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the statewide health and human service programs Samaritas manages. 

The Samaritas Online Holiday Auction can be accessed online at samaritas.co/OnlineAuction or by texting “Samaritas Auction” to 243725. From the auction site, bidders will be asked to register with their full name, email address and mailing address. Once registered, participants can monitor their favorite items and be ready to bid on them on Nov. 15. Upon winning the auction, Samaritas representatives will work with participants to have items shipped or delivered.

This holiday shopping experience is sponsored by Delta Dental, TCF Bank, Applied Imaging, Meritain Health, Fifth Third Bank, New Holland Brewing Co., Integrity Business Solutions, Pinnacle Construction Group, Morrison Living and donors Eve and Jerry Jung.

Some of the featured “staycation” auction items include: 

• Auction item No. 101 - Suite Summer Escape Package to Boyne Mountain for the family or a group of friends at the Innsbrook Suite in the Mountain Grand Lodge.

• Auction Item No. 105 - Ski Weekend at The Homestead Ski Resort for four people includes lodging in Fiddler’s Pond, rental equipment and lift tickets.

• Auction Item No. 117 - Private Dinner with Beer Pairing for ten includes a private dining and beer pairing experience at the New Holland Brewing - Pub on 8th Street in Grand Rapids. Each course will be perfectly paired with a New Holland beer.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 15 at 12 a.m. through Sunday, Nov. 22 at 11:59 p.m.

WHY: Samaritas is one of the largest faith-based nonprofit health and human services organizations in the state, providing more than 40 programs in more than 60 locations. It serves more foster children and complete more domestic adoptions than any other nonprofit in Michigan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected Samaritas’ needs to keep its clients and staff healthy and well. As a result, many of the people Samaritas cares for are suffering from economic instability, food insecurity and finding affordable living. Others simply need space in Samaritas’ transitional homes and homeless shelters. Proceeds from activities like the online auction and donations at samaritas.org/donate can help ease the burden and help keep Samaritas clients safe. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @IAmSamaritas or on Instagram @WeAreSamaritas.  

Editor’s note: Click here to download high-resolution files of the featured auction items listed above and more.