Bidders walked

off with nearly 300 items recently at the Southwest Christian Hospice's

sports memorabilia auction to benefit its hospice ministry.

There were

both a silent and a live auction.

Taking place

at the American Legion Log Cabin building in Fayetteville, the silent

auction began as participants wrote down their bids for such items as

Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks towels, mouse pads, pins, travel bags,

etc., restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, motel weekends, college golf

shirts, clothing store certificates and Christmas ornaments.

As the silent

auction ended, the live auction began. Thirty sports memorabilia items,

all autographed, were on the auction block. Local jewelry store owner

Bill McDonald began his chant, encouraging the bidders to go at least

$25 higher than the last bid.

Chipper Jones

items such as the autographed baseball went for $150, an autographed baseball

bat also brought $150, and an autographed game jersey commanded $300 while

an autographed batting glove sold for $170.

An autographed

card by Dale Earnhart and Richard Petty sold for $250, and a Cal Ripkin

Jr. autographed Baltimore Orioles game jersey brought in $500.

At least $21,000

was earned from the auction.

Two days later,

the Planterra Ridge Golf Club in Peachtree City was the site of a celebrity

golf game for the hospice, with nearly 170 golfers entering. Players paid

$100 each and were paired with celebrities such as sports and televisions

figures Kevin Millwood, Glenn Hubbard, Jim Beauchamp, Hank Aaron, Bobby

Dews, Bill Hartman, Ernie Johnson Sr. and Fred Kalil.

The day-long

event raised approximately $43,000 for the hospice ministry.

The Southwest

Christian Hospice is a new form of an old concern, the care of loved ones

who are terminally ill. It began meeting this need on a outpatient basis

in 1983 and its inpatient facility opened in 1987.

It now has more than 40 full-time and part-time employees

and 100 volunteers.

It is at 7225 Lester Road, Union City.