An annual auction aims to raise money for Habilitat, a nonprofit, long-term addiction treatment center in Kāne‘ohe.
The auction is live right now at O‘ahu Auctions and ends beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 1.
Donovan Noble, a sales and marketing representative for Habilitat, told Aloha State Daily on Tuesday that Habilitat is self-sufficient and able to "keep doing what we do because of fundraisers that we have."
Those include the online auction, a haunted drive-thru and a Christmas tree sale, he noted.
The money raised goes directly to Habilitat's 2.5-year treatment program and will help those who enroll, Noble said.
For Noble, previous support of companies and organizations through this fundraiser "has given me an opportunity to change my life and make better choices for myself. And people who still continue to do so, that's what it goes to — the new individuals that are wanting to change their life and have the best life that they can."
The treatment center was founded in 1971 by Vinny Marino and its program "treats an individual holistically, focusing on behavior modification and the underlying causes of addition," the organization's website notes. Vocational training programs are an "integral component" of the program.
There are nearly 500 items up for grabs in the ongoing auction, including hotel stays, trips to Las Vegas, golf outings and adventure packages, artwork, jewelry, musical instruments, vehicle shipments, tools, gift certificates and more.
Noble said that, for him, Hawaiian koa wood weapons and koa wood frames stand out, "because those were actually handcrafted by Habilitat residents currently in the program."
“We’re glad to play a small part in helping Habilitat raise funds," David Brandt, president of O‘ahu Auctions told ASD in an email. "It’s a win-win — bidders get great items and the proceeds support life-changing programs."
Checkout the auction here. Pick-up will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3 from Habilitat, although gift cards and certificates can be mailed at no charge, the auction notes.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
