Child Safe of Central Missouri, Inc., held its 10th annual Celebrity Dessert Auction Tuesday night at Celebration Center, 1701 W. 32nd.

The event was one of two major annual fund-raisers for the organization. The other is the Adult Easter Egg Hunt held in the spring.

The live auction held Tuesday night raised about $12,000 and drew about 35 tasty entries, which were lined up along one wall of the room for inspection by those attending the event, held a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

There was also a rack containing specialty items for sale at a more premium price, Asbury noted.

In addition, there was a long table filled with cash-and-carry items that were selling like hotcakes (and cupcakes, cookies, pies, brownies and Rice Krispie treats) that also brought in funds for the non-profit Child Safe program, which serves 13 counties. Child Safe's mission is to respond to child abuse and help familes heal, according to their website.

In 2018, 411 children received services provided by Child Safe, more than one child per day. Nearly 80 percent of the families they serve have incomes below the 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and the majority being below the 125 percentile. The average cost per child receiving services is $2,003.57. All of the services are provided by Child Safe, located at 10th and Ohio, free of charge, the website noted.

Executive Director Mari Asbury said the Garber Brothers from Lincoln served as auctioneers for the popular event, which included a freewill donation for a spaghetti dinner that preceded the live auction.

Asbury said there was seating for 160 in the large room where the event was held. Each table had ornately-decorated craft items as centerpieces that were also for sale.

Noah Burnette, UCM Celebration Center youth minister, provided pre-dinner music on the piano.

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