The Powell Medical Foundation’s annual Mardi Gras fundraiser is going virtual this year. 

While this year’s event — normally their largest fundraiser —  won’t feature the food and party of previous years, the foundation is hosting a virtual silent auction, and the proceeds will go to support the future needs of Powell Valley Healthcare. 

“We wanted to make sure we tried to do something,” said Megan Pfefferle, executive director of the PMF. 

Pfefferle started at her position in December 2019, and planning for the February event was dropped into her lap. 

“I had a minor panic attack,” she recalled. 

She started planning for the 2021 event in September, just as cases were starting to surge. 

“We knew at that time, obviously sitdown events were not possible unless it was outdoors. And in February, it’s too chilly to do that,” Pfefferle said.  

Rather than plan something that might be canceled, the foundation decided to go ahead with a virtual auction. Pfefferle said they’ve been able to get some great donations to offer in the auction. 

“We have some amazing things,” Pfefferle said. 

The biggest prize is the trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Pfefferle said a local couple “graciously” donated a week at a condo they own right off the beach, and Yellowstone Motors kicked in a $1,200 airfare voucher.

“All you gotta do is put a swimsuit in a bag, some sunglasses, some sunscreen, get to the airport, and get your buns to Mexico. It’s pretty amazing,” Pfefferle said. 

Laurie Lee, a PMF board member, donated one of her paintings for the auction, and local photographer Greg Wise donated a couple of his photos. 

Board member Mindy Christensen donated a couple of her cheesecakes. Pfefferle said she sampled one, and they are to die for. 

Also up for grabs are certificates for duct cleaning, oil changes and car detailing. 

“Our hope is we’re hitting the high end, the low end and the in-between, so everyone has a chance to play regardless how much disposable income they are comfortable using,” Pfefferle said. 

The auction starts at 8 a.m. on Feb. 9, and it ends at 10 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16.

There are a number of ways people can bid on the auction items. There’s a link on the Powell Valley Healthcare website plus advertisements on the Powell Tribune website. Pfefferle said there are also a number of flyers around town with a QR code people can scan with their phones. 

Clicking on the ads or scanning the code will take you to the registration site. Once registered, people can download the free Givi app from Google Play or the Apple Store. This will allow them to bid on the items. 

Pfefferle said anyone who isn’t comfortable using the app or who doesn’t have a smart phone can call the foundation at 307-754-7746.

Board members will get together the night the auction ends to place bids for those who aren’t bidding online and to call them if they’re outbid. 

“So a very small-scale, good ol’ fashioned telethon,” Pfefferle said. 

Since the bidding will be anonymous, Pfefferle expects it will be an intense night, even though it’s a virtual event. 

“It’s amazing how the competition will kick in at the last minute on these things, and it’s crazy what will happen,” Pfefferle said. 

Unlike in previous years, the money raised on the auction isn’t going toward any specific need at the hospital. Last year, the event raised money for a 3D mammography machine. But after Mardi Gras, the pandemic flared up and the hospital was in dire need of personal protective equipment and Vapotherm breathing equipment. 

“This year we thought, let’s not pigeonhole the dollars in case there’s needs that occur that we didn’t think about or weren’t top of mind,” Pfefferle explained. 

After purchases are made with the proceeds, PMF will advertise how the money was used. 

“We are the fundraising heart for Powell Valley Healthcare,” Pfefferle said. “Our mission is to fundraise, educate and advocate on behalf of the amazing people that do what they do everyday up there.” 

If anyone doesn’t want to bid on auction items but still wants to contribute to the Powell Medical Foundation, a link is available at www.pvhc.org/mardi-gras-2021.