Girls Inc. to Host “Fuel Her Fire” Virtual Auction

Are you busy on April 16? Participate in a fun, virtual auction for a great cause.

Girls Inc. New Hampshire’s biggest fundraiser will be virtual for the second consecutive year. The Fuel Her Fire Auction will take place entirely online, offering a variety of options for auctions and raffle prizes.

The overarching mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” They focus on healthy living, academic enrichment and support and life skills instruction. Learn more about the specific programs they offer here.

Serving girls ages 5 to 18 through many research-based programs aiming to develop “the whole girl,” Girls Inc. helps young women value themselves and their strengths, while providing mentorship and support.

“Girls Inc. girls live healthy and active lifestyles and are less likely to engage in risky behavior; they are eager to learn, successful in school, and more likely to graduate from post-secondary education; and they display diligence, perseverance and resilience,” says their website.

The online auction opened March 17, and will remain accessible until a live-streamed broadcast on April 16. The fantastic live auction will be hosted by CEO Sharron McCarthy and auctioneer Mark Fodero, and can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook at 7 p.m.

The live auction will feature exquisite prizes such as a high-end wine collection, “his and hers” Tag Heuer watches, a variety of getaways to places like Cabo St. Lucas, Key West and Sunday River, as well as weekend getaways across the Northeast. In offering many pandemic-friendly trips and outdoor experiences such as surfing and kayaking, Girls Inc. hopes to encourage living a healthy lifestyle.

They will also offer a rapid fire one-day auction from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the event, featuring 10 premium items.

Proceeds from the auctions will go toward funding program scholarships and Girls Inc. of New Hampshire centers in Nashua and Manchester. Last year’s inaugural virtual auction raised $175,000.

The ongoing auction features prizes such as restaurant and retail gift cards, massages and electronics. There are also raffle tickets available for $50, with the chance to win a deluxe escape for two at the Bedford Village Inn.

Girls Inc. New Hampshire CEO Sharron McCarthy says the remote event has been fun to develop and put on, and notes that the virtual format allows more people to tune into the auction. “I think people participate because they enjoy having an opportunity to really make a difference,” she says. “You do those things because you want to help somebody out, you want to give somebody a lift, and maybe inspire somebody to reach a little higher with their goals in life.”

Another exciting addition to the event is the performance of a talented singer Amanda Mena, who will begin the live auction with a performance. Previously a contestant on “America’s Got Talent,” earning the Golden Buzzer, and winning the Spanish-language “Voice” singing competition La Vox, Mena is a current contestant on “American Idol.”

Additionally, artist Tanya’s cover of P!nk’s song, “Just Like Fire” will play during the event. Tanya is a Berklee College of Music graduate, voice coach and critically-acclaimed singer who blew last year’s audience away.

While Girls Inc. New Hampshire has headquarters in Nashua and Manchester, they have outreach programs in schools across the state. “The stronger the foundation we have, the more we can get out there and serve girls with our programming. So, all of the funds raised help us do that,” says McCarthy.

Registration for the event is free and accessible here.

New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.