Clark Countians have the opportunity to help two local causes while doing a little shopping this weekend.

For the 28th year, Hospice East and the Boonesboro Lioness Club are joining forces with a massive auction to help Hospice families.

The auction begins at 6 p.m. Friday and continues until the last item is sold at First Church of God on Colby Road.

Last year, the auction raised about $16,000, which was a record. The club raised $106,000 in the first 25 years of the auction, and funds have increased steadily in the last three years.

This year’s offerings include a gas grill, several gift baskets, a number of handmade quilts, two pool liners, coolers, a motorcycle helmet and jacket, a country ham and a 70-inch television, as well as a multitude of gift certificates.

For at least 31 years, the Winchester Kiwanis Club has filled the airwaves to auction items of all price ranges. The club’s annual auction begins Thursday night at Central Baptist Church. There are about 300 items available this year ranging from gift certificates up to an ASUS Republic of Gamers laptop computer specially built for online gaming. There will also be floral arrangements, chiropractor visits, teeth cleanings, a pair of Tiffany sunglasses and a University of Kentucky basketball autographed by coach John Calipari, among many other items, which can all be viewed at www.winchester.portalbuzz.com.

The auction will run from 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the auction resumes at 10 a.m. and ends when the last item is sold. Last year’s auction raised about $12,000.

The auction will be broadcast live on cable channel 5, WKYN 107.7 FM and streamed at www.winchesterkiwanis.com. All bidding will be over the phone. To bid, call 737-3841 during auction hours.

Both auctions support worthy causes, with all money raised at the Lioness’ auction going to support Hospice’s special needs fund for projects not covered by insurance. Fund raised at the Kiwanis auction support the organization’s mission of “improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Kiwanis provides funding for various projects, clubs and initiatives at local schools and involving children in need.

This weekend, instead of heading out of town to do your shopping, settle into your comfortable sofa or even prop your feet up on your backyard patio and shop these local auctions. You can score some deals on great products while supporting local charities.