This event is a social gathering for MCCS families to get to know each other as well as a fun community event for all ages," said Lindsay Norris, director of development and community relations, describing the Mount Calvary Christian School (MCCS) benefit auction.

The event will take place on Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, at the school, 629 Holly St., Elizabethtown.

Friday's festivities will begin with dinner at 4:30 p.m. "We will have meals available for dine-in or takeout," Norris said, noting that the dinners will feature Harvey's Main Street BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, a roll and a drink. Both adult and child portions will be offered. Dine-in meals will be served at the school. Takeout meals will be available for drive-through pick up at the school's west campus, 35 Elm Ave., Elizabethtown.

Friday evening will also feature a variety of live and silent auctions. Hess Auctioneers will oversee the live auction portion.

"Our main auction time is on Friday," said Eric Stone, incoming auction chair and a member of the auction committee. "We have auctions for teacher experiences, where kids get to go with a teacher and do something fun. Each class also puts together a basket, so they will be sold Friday night. We have vacation getaways up for auction and different experiences around the community that businesses have donated."

On Saturday, the event will kick off with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet beginning at 8 a.m., followed by live auctions starting at 9 a.m.

"Saturday's auctions feature home decor, tools and sports memorabilia," Stone said.

Also on Saturday, Kids Fest will be held on the soccer fields at the school from 9 a.m. to noon.

"We'll have a variety of carnival-type games. It's student run, and the proceeds will go toward the National Honor Society," Norris said. Kids Fest will also feature a dunk tank, cotton candy and snowcones.

MCCS has been holding a benefit auction event since the early 1990s.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," Stone said. "The money we raise goes toward making tuition affordable for as many kids as we possibly can." Organizers have set a goal of raising $200,000 at this year's event.

With a mission of partnering with families to provide a quality education and encouraging students to grow into faithful and mature followers of Jesus Christ, MCCS serves students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. This year's enrollment is just shy of 800 students.

Both Stone and Norris invite members of the community to come to the benefit auction, whether they have a connection to MCCS or not.

"It's a great way to get a meal, and it's an opportunity to have fun," Norris said.

Added Stone, "Come and interact with families and have fun while supporting a great cause. You're also supporting local businesses by bidding on auction items they've donated."

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses, and all of the auction items will be online for viewing at https://e.givesmart.com/events/Cbd/ closer to the auction date.