News Release

WARSAW — Indiana Business Opportunity Partners (iBOP) is hosting its 10th annual Winter Wonderland Bazaar & Quarter Paddle Auction on Saturday, Nov. 14.

It will be at Baker Youth Club on Smith Street in Warsaw. This year iBOP supports Beloved: Not Forgotten, an organization which helps victims of sexual exploitation.

“We want to bring awareness to what Beloved: Not Forgotten is striving to accomplish,” said Betty Swanson, iBOP president. 

The fundraiser features a craft show/vendor bazaar from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Grab bags are available for the first 25 patrons through the door (ages 18 and older). The bazaar is free for all ages to attend.

The quarter paddle auction portion of the fundraiser will be held from 1 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. with the quarter paddle auction doors opening at noon. There will be more than 100 items up for bid from the vendors, crafters and local merchants. There will be no one under 18 admitted to the quarter paddle auction.

Auction admission tickets are available in advance for $5 and are $7 the day of the auction. Tickets are limited. During the auction, admission tickets will be exchanged for a numbered auction paddle. Items with a retail value up to $24.99 will cost bidders one quarter. For each $25 dollar increase, an additional quarter is added. An item valued at $75 or higher will only be four quarters to bid.

Bidders will raise their paddles and supply a quarter per retail level of the item up for sale, entering them into a drawing. Should a paddle number be drawn that did not bid, guests will be asked to shout, “No bid,” and follow an honor system. There will be one winner per round. All monies collected are donated to the charity.

In addition to partnering with Beloved: Not Forgotten, members of iBOP have each donated an item from their direct sales business to a raffle basket. This basket is valued at more than $140. The monies collected from the raffle basket will be donated to Combined Community Services (CCS), a local food pantry and help center.

For tickets or for more information, people may contact Swanson at 574-527-6005 or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/iBOPfans. 

The local not-for-profit group iBOP holds several events throughout the year and donated $6,194.47 last year back into the community to support local charities.