MORGANTOWN — The gym at Chestnut Ridge Church was bustling with people on Saturday as Parent’s Place held its 16th annual
silent auction.
“We have two fundraisers that are major, this is our biggest one,” said Megan Gatian, the fundraising chair for
the organization.
Parent’s Place has been a non-profit organization since 1982 that can be described
not only as a preschool, but also a place for parents to
come together.
“If you’re a stay at home mom or a first time mom and you don’t know what to do or how to get out of the house, it’s a great organization to just be a part of, and it gets you
back in the community,”
Gatian said.
Parent’s Place has teachers to take care of and teach the kids, but Gatian also said that often they will have guest speakers come talk to the parents from places like Cardinal Pediatrics. They have done things like make bath bombs and partner with Pantry Plus to collect food. Gatian said it’s a great organization and you meet great people.
At the silent auction on Saturday, attendees could bid on things like handmade quilts and clothes, growlers of beer, gift cards to restaurants, and tickets to the zoo.
Auction donors like Brickstreet Insurance, United Bank, Cardinal Pediatrics and VFW
Post 548 made much of the day possible as everything for auction was donated from the community and helps Parent’s Place with financing its program.
“The money pays our bills, keeps us in business, and pays teachers’ salaries,” Gatian said.
Of course kids had activities to keep them busy. The Easter Bunny was there to take pictures with the kids. There was face painting and even a cupcake walk. Food was catered at the event, with mon-
ey that also comes
from fundraising.
Gatian said they sold around 125 tickets, but kids under 12 got in free. Parent’s Place has about 90 families that participate in weekly classes.
Gatian said they meet at the Church of the Brethren in Wiles Hill, but Parent’s Place is non-denominational; it simply rents the space in the church. She said Parent’s Place is doing an open house from 5-7 p.m., on April 12th and encourages families to come take a tour and see what it’s all about.
