TIPP CITY—Tipp Monroe Community Services held its annual purse auction and luncheon on Saturday, March 16 at the Tipp City Global Methodist Church.

This year’s theme was Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Gale Gingerich and Brent Hudson served as auctioneers for the event.

Each year, TMCS holds a purse auction to raise funds to support the summer lunch program Lunch On Us. Renee Johnson, staff, and volunteers run the program. Last year, 8590 lunches were served. Meals are prepared at the Tipp City Global Methodist Church, which has been instrumental in the program’s success by providing its facilities at no charge. Tipp City schools provide the van to deliver lunches to seven local neighborhoods. TMCS also receives food, gift cards, and monetary donations from the community.

The annual auction is a significant funding source for the Lunch On Us program, which would otherwise cost TMCS approximately $55,000. According to Kathy Taylor, executive director of TMCS.

“This fundraiser continues to be crucial for the program’s success. We raised another record amount of money at this year’s auction, and we are very grateful for the support of our community,” Taylor said.

The event included a live auction of 55 new purses, each containing at least one gift card. Several businesses donated new purses: Main Street Financial-Thrivent-Matt Buehrer, Regal Rexnord, Home Expert Realty-Dana Ward, unboxed boutique, Alvetro Orthodontics, Deb Jackson, Joanna Pittenger, SueAnn Re′, Witches of Dow St., Park National Bank, Tipp City Enrichment Program, and Tipp City Schools.

StoryPoint of Troy catered for the event and donated the food. Chef Aaron Watson and his staff created a delectable menu for the tea party. There was also a silent auction with thirty-eight purses and a boutique selling vintage and gently used purses and jewelry, which included pop-up items during the live auction, raffles, and door prizes.

Several guests dressed up to make the event even more fun. Pete and Katie Berbach came as the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit. Tasha Weaver, the Downtown Tipp City Partnership director, dressed up as Alice. Guests took photos with the characters in the tea party photo area.

The theme for next year’s auction was revealed at the end of the auction as being Fairy Garden. The event format has a twist for next year, as participants will be able to host their tables. This means they can provide linens and decorations if a table is purchased. White tablecloths will be provided as a base. TMCS will decorate tables if participants opt-out. The only requirement at this time is to stay on theme. There will be a contest for the best table and tickets go on sale in Feb. 2025.

The auction profits and generous donations from various individuals, organizations, and businesses will support this community service for another summer. If you are interested in donating or volunteering for the Lunch On Us program, please call the TMCS office at 937-667-8631.

Tipp Monroe Community Services is a local nonprofit organization responsible for identifying and filling the needs of Tipp City and Monroe Township residents. They provide recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs. For more information visit tmcomservices.org.