'Special Children' Auction Requests Funding Assistance

The committee which sponsors the Clinic for Special Children auction is asking for donations for the clinic since the auction was cancelled for this year.

Since 1997, the Blair County Auction Committee has worked every year to raise funds for the Clinic for Special Children (CSC) in Strasburg, and more recently also the Central Pennsylvania Clinic (CPAC) in Belleville, through the annual benefit sale.

These clinics provide medical care to special-needs children and adults and rely heavily on funds from benefit sales to provide services at low cost to families who need them. Last year, the Blair County Auction raised nearly $120,000 in support of this work.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to comply with Pennsylvania’s state regulations, the Blair County Auction Committee made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s sale,” Alvin Nolt, committee treasurer, said.

Nolt said the clinics provide “valuable medical care” to special-needs children and adults. The clinics “rely heavily” on funds from benefit sales to provide services at low cost to families who need them, Nolt told the Herald.

The CSC and CPAC now face a difficult situation as many of the benefit sales that support their work have been cancelled or delayed. The clinics’ doors have remained open the past few months to continue providing care to patients and their families who rely on their services.

The committee is asking those who have supported the Blair County Auction in the past to help replace the funds normally raised by the auction/sale.

“We can continue providing the support these organizations need to care for special needs children, adults and their families,” Alvin Nolt said.

Those interested in donating may go to http://www.clinicforspecialchildren.org/give to make a gift online. Online donors should be sure to designate “Blair County Auction.”

Those who prefer to mail a donation may do so by sending a check made out to “Clinic for Special Children” to

Alvin Nolt, Treasurer

231 Twin Farm Lane

Williamsburg PA 16693

Cancelled this year

The annual benefit auction and bake sale to support The Clinic for Special Children and the Central PA Clinic was to be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Morrisons Cove Produce Auction, Roaring Spring RR.

Herman Nolt, a member of the Blair County Auction Committee, said last year’s auction had a total revenue of $120,849. The auction raised $86,000 in items sold (all items were donated) and $38,000 in food sold. Expenses were approximately $4,000.

Cathy Nolt, Herman’s wife and a member of the Blair County Auction Committee, said next year’s goal is to be expense-free.

Next year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Morrisons Cove Produce Auction.

Herman and Cathy Nolt thanked all businesses and individuals that have donated to the auction in the past.

“We appreciate everything we receive for the auction,” Cathy Nolt said.