The Mecosta-Osceola United Way’s sixth annual holiday virtual auction begins this week.

The auction opens Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. and closes Saturday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. Participants can bid on more than 35 items, including nine featured packages.

“Forty percent of our neighbors in these two counties live at or just above the poverty line,” said Betty Seely, co-organizer of the auction. “If they have to fix a car, they may not be able to buy groceries. If they have to buy groceries, they may not be able to fix the car. It’s tough, and many are single or single-parent families. That’s primarily who the United Way helps.”

Featured items include:

• Two-night stay and golf at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

• Two-night stay and skiing at Crystal Mountain

• Detroit River walleye fishing trip

• Golf round at St. Ives Golf Course

• President’s box seats for Ferris State University hockey and football

• $300 gift card to The Blue Cow

• Blackstone 22-inch griddle

• Tasting and tour at The Winery at Young Farms

• Five-course dinner for six at Pere Marquette Bistro

All items will appear on the auction’s Facebook page. Bidding takes place in the comments of each post and must be in whole-dollar increments. Winners will be announced Saturday night and must claim their prizes by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.

For more information and to bid, visit: MECOSTA-OSCEOLA UNITED WAY VIRTUAL AUCTION SITE