Good Neighbors Raises Funds for Guatemala Clinic

Julie Shay, founder of Good Neighbors Group, spends a lot of her time helping the Severna Park community. But now, Shay is putting her good deed nature toward making a difference in a place that’s far away from her home.

The Good Neighbors Group—a local group that helps community members in need—is hosting a quarter auction at Woods Memorial Church on April 19 to raise funds for a clinic in Nueva San Jose, Guatemala. When built, the clinic will serve 10,000 people.

Shay’s friend Ellen Finn lives in Guatemala where she works on behalf of children in that country. Finn started Project School Supplies and is now raising money for a medical clinic.

“The Guatemala government said that if she builds the clinic they will supply a full-time physician and two full-time nurses along with all the supplies and equipment she needs,” Shay said.

Finn has raised more than $11,000 but needs about $4,000 for the roof, which is where Good Neighbors Group comes in. With the quarter auction, Shay is hoping to bring in $4,180 to put a roof on the clinic.

“The clinic will serve 10,000 people—the magnitude of that is unbelievable,” Shay said. “Now, if the people there have a sick child, they have to travel hours and miss days of work and spend a lot of money to get care. This clinic would make a gigantic difference.”

Shay and the Good Neighbors Group is offering area residents a fun way to help the clinic with a quarter auction on April 19. The event will feature 100 gift baskets and 16 silent auction items all donated from area businesses. But the catch is—items in the auction can be bought for just a quarter or two.

During the auction if bidders see an item they like, they put a quarter in the bucket on their table and raise their paddle. If a bidder's paddle number is drawn—you win. Items valued at $50 or less are a quarter. Items valued at more than $50 are 50 cents.  The group will also charge an admision fee and sell food and refreshments.

“It’s totally innocent fun,” Shay said. “You can bring the kids, there will even be a kids table for them. And there will be tons of food. People have the ability to make a gigantic difference in Guatemala with a quarter.”

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Doors for the auction will open at 5:30 p.m. on April 19 and the auction will begin at 6 p.m. There is a $5 admission fee for the event and food will be sold. For more information on the Good Neighbors Group Quarter Auction, click here.