Chimes for Charity begins Monday

The Dyersburg Jaycees are preparing for this year's 61st annual Chimes for Charity event, which begins Monday. The event will air on Channel 4, WTRO AM 1450 and Eagle 97.3 from 7-9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday. From left: Rachel Cartwright, Carrie Burns, Bob Grooms, Kim Hill and Amy Kaye Clark. Call often and bid high. 286-0833.

'Tis the season for bidding as the 61st annual Chimes for Charity prepares to go on the air Monday evening.

The Dyersburg Jaycees-sponsored event helps provide a Christmas for over 900 children in Dyer County.

Donated items are bid on and if you don't see what you like you can just as easily sponsor a child rather than bid.

"We definitely need a lot of support this year," said Chimes for Charity co-chair Kim Hill.

The charity event will air on Channel 4, WTRO AM 1450 and Eagle 97.3 from 7-9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

This year, Chimes for Charity volunteers are excited that the returning soldiers form Dyersburg's 168th Military Police Battalion will be Tuesday night's sponsor.

"We're very honored to have our troops back," said Chimes for Charity co-chair Rachel Cartwright. "It was actually a Chimes tradition to have them on the air. And it would be really cool to have people call in and sponsor a child in honor of the soldiers on Tuesday night."

The price to sponsor a child this year is $25.

The schedule of sponsors each night are as follows:

* Monday - Horner, Hawkins and Kerber

* Tuesday - 168th Military Police Battalion

* Wednesday - First United Methodist Church Sojourners and Seekers

* Thursday - Says Sew and Curry's Funeral Home

* Friday - Firestone

* Saturday - First Citizens

* Sunday - Security Bank

(Note - Chimes for Charity will immediately follow the Dyersburg City Board meeting on Monday evening.)

In addition to the auction, Maurice's, in the mall will be holding a toy drive for Chimes for Charity. You can bring any new toy to the store and receive 20 percent off, with up to 10 coupons being given.

The charity will be holding its annual part for the children on Dec. 20 at noon in the gym at Dyersburg High School.

"This year we are experiencing more interest in the party and will need a lot of help," said Hill.

To be eligible for the party, people must go to the Department of Human Services to sign up their children. If people do not receive any assistance from the government they must still go to the Department of Human Services to fill out the form.

Some of the items included in the auction will be furniture, tools, Christmas wreaths and decorations, laptop bags, rugs, Pennington pecans and quite a bit of Harley Davidson merchandise.

"We've got some really cool items," said Hill.

One cool item in particular is the chance to be a member of the famous Bad Bob's Bar-B-Que Team at the Memphis in May Bar-B-Que Festival next year from May 12-16. The team is guaranteed a spot in the contest because of their wins.

Bob Grooms the owner of Bad Bob's Bar-B-Que is the team captain and said for seven out of the last 10 years they have placed in the top 10 at Memphis in May.

"We think this is something that will be really neat and different," said Grooms. "We felt it would be a little more fun."

Normally in the past Grooms has auctioned off the chance for the team to come and do an event at someone's house, but he decided to up the ante this year.

Grooms said they will auction off one or possibly two spots on the team. These are spots that people around the country have been vying for and are sometimes part of a franchise-wide contest, but Grooms decided to save them for Chimes for Charity.

The lucky winner(s) will get to cook, trim and prepare the barbecue for judging.

"It will be some fun, but it will also be some work," said Grooms.

The lucky winner(s) will also get to do some cooking of their own. Besides assisting in the barbecue contest and learning valuable pointers, the winner(s) will get to prepare one of three sides for judging: beef, chicken or fish.

The team will give them suggestions and show them how to present the meat, but the new member will do the cooking.

Another bonus will be an arranged interview with Jack's Old South world-champion barbecue.

"You don't get to meet any of the other teams, unless you are a member on a team," said Grooms.

The accommodations for the winner(s) will also be included in the package. Grooms said they will meet with the winner(s) the week before and tell them what they need to bring.

Volunteers are asking for the winners of items to please pick them up and to honor their bid. They said last year some items were not picked up or paid for.

The items can be picked up at the Chimes for Charity office at 111 Market St. Office hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. two to three weeks after bidding ends. Winners can also call and set up a time to pick up items after hours.

This year's goal for the auction is $35,000, which was lowered due to the economy.

"We really need the public's help more than in the last 20 years," said Hill. "I know the economy is bad, but a lot of us can afford $25 to help a needy child. And all of the money raised stays here in Dyer County for Dyer Countians."

Also you can donate at www.chimes4charity.com .