Over the past 43 years, the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association has raised money to help support the Ovarian Cancer Research program at the University of Kentucky. Every year, the Mason County Extension Homemakers host at least 3 fundraisers to support their financial contribution to the Ovarian Cancer Research program. Unfortunately, in 2020, they were unable to hold any of their usual fundraisers due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

With budget cuts on the University level, the Extension Homemakers were worried that the Ovarian Cancer Research funds would be cut. The Mason County Extension Homemaker Council and the Mason County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent put their heads together to try to come up with an idea to create a virtual fundraiser to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Research. 

The idea of an online silent auction came up and after figuring out the logistics, it was decided to hold it over Facebook. The Mason County Extension Homemakers have their own Facebook page that is ran by the County President and FCS Agent. It was decided that the items would be posted on that page for a set number of days and people would comment their bids on the picture of each item. 

After creating a flyer, the Extension Homemakers went to work marketing the silent auction. It was promoted on Facebook, the radio, and the local cable station, as well as word of mouth. Items were donated by Extension Homemaker members and clubs. On December 11th at 10 am, the album went live on Facebook and each item had its own picture with a description, value, and starting bid in the caption and comments. People in the community started bidding immediately. On December 12th at 5 pm, the silent auction was closed and all winners were notified. At the end of the auction, Mason County Extension Homemakers had raised $1,359 for Ovarian Cancer Research. This is only a fraction of their normal contribution, but they were very proud of themselves for raising that much money in the middle of a pandemic that has effected many people’s financial situations.