An auction at St. Joseph’s College will raise funds for the college’s Spring Break Workfest program, which sends teams of students to service projects in March.

The public is invited to the auction Wednesday, Feb. 4. Silent auction items will be open for bidding on the first floor of Mercy Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and a separate public auction will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the dining area on the ground floor in Mercy Hall. The community is invited to make bids, donate items, or both.

This year, student teams will head to Flat Gap, Ky., to participate in the Christian Appalachian Project, which focuses on building and renovating houses; Yonkers, N.Y., to build safe, decent, and affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity; Pilgrimage House in Washington, D.C., to provide hands-on service at food pantries and other community locations; and a Habitat for Humanity site in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

The college has sponsored Spring Break Workfest for 18 years. Annmarie Reed, a junior from Brewer, will lead the trip to Kentucky this year. She calls last year’s experience “truly life-changing … to not only see the faith and love of the people we served, but also that of the volunteers, was truly inspiring.”

Each year, the college raises about half of the money needed through the auction fundraiser. Students experience different aspects of service and gain broader perspectives through their work in different communities.

During the academic year, St. Joseph’s College students serve in Standish, Windham and other communities in the Greater Portland area.

In case of inclement weather causing closure of the college, the auction will be rescheduled for the following Wednesday. For more information or to make a donation, please call 893-7794.