Peabody Chamber to host annual auction Wednesday

PEABODY – The Peabody Chamber of Commerce will host its 20th Annual Auction on Wednesday from 5:30-10 p.m. at Jimmy’s Allenhurst Restaurant in Danvers.Executive Director Deanne Healy said she expects the night to be one of the best yet.”Based on the success of last year’s event, we’re anticipating the chamber auction will be one of the ‘hottest tickets’ in town,” she said.At the cost of a $40 ticket, attendees can feast on a full buffet dinner and participate in a live auction sponsored by Community Credit Union and a silent auction sponsored by Salem 5 and Old Neighborhood Foods.Items up for grabs include airline tickets and travel packages, Red Sox tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, and gift certificates to local restaurants, retailers, and family attractions.A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Citizens for Adequate Housing, a non-profit organization working toward ending homelessness in the North Shore.”With the current housing crisis and foreclosures on the rise, it was important to the chamber to support Citizens for Adequate Housing as a way to dynamically help those affected right here in our own community,” said Auction Committee Chairperson Nick Sarantopoulos of Community Credit Union.Last year, $3,000 was donated to the city’s Committee on Drug Prevention and Awareness.For those unable to attend this year’s occasion, the auction will continue online throughout the month of May and hundreds of items will be available for bid, said Healey.Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s event and may be purchased by visiting the Chamber of Commerce, 24 Main St., or by calling 978-531-0384.To make your bids online, log onto to www.peabodychamber.com and click on “Auction 2008.”