NATCHEZ — When Matilda Stephens speaks, people listen. As director of The Sunshine Shelter for Abused and Neglected Children, Matilda gets called upon quite often to speak to various organizations, civic clubs and United Way kickoff campaigns for businesses, as the shelter is a United Way agency. As she spoke to the department managers at Natchez Regional Medical Center concerning the impact the Respite Care Program the United Way established has had on the shelter, you could have heard a pin drop.

The group listened intently as Matilda talked about the number of children her shelter serves and how lives had literally been saved because of the recently funded Respite Care Program. She talked passionately about her shelter and the kids that benefit from its existence. It’s an existence that depends on support from the United Way.

The Sunshine Shelter is not alone in its dependency on United Way funds to operate. There are so many worthwhile organizations in the area that need our support through the local United Way. In an effort to create a win/win situation for everyone, employees at Natchez Regional Medical Center have come up with a way for you to help support the United Way through a monetary donation, but at the same time, you walk away with a Christmas gift for that special someone, or an item you decided you can’t live without.

Today, the silent auction will begin accepting bids at 9 a.m., in the first floor classroom at Natchez Regional Medical Center, and the final bidding will close at 3 p.m. This promises to be a day of fun and fundraising as we open our hearts and our doors to all who want to participate. Several employees have been busy collecting donated items from local merchants, and they will also have some unique items that different hospital departments have been busy collecting.

You won’t shop hungry. Volunteers at NRMC will have some wonderful baked goods for purchase beginning at 8 a.m. in the hospital lobby. The bake sale will also benefit the United Way. So come early, purchase baked goods and begin browsing the silent auction items. The day promises to be full of excitement and competition as we reveal the highest bidders at 3 p.m.