One of the popular fundraisers this community has traditionally experienced is the annual auction conducted by the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center.

This online event generates money that is vitally needed to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. And it starts Thursday and runs through April 7.

It is traditionally known as the Cake Auction. For years, bakers tried to outdo each other with elaborate cakes that went on the auction block. Today there may be some cakes available, but the diversified event also offers other goodies, tickets to local events, Easter baskets for kids, gift baskets for adults and furniture. The Easter baskets are especially popular, drawing lots of bids.

After being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, the auction returned in 2022 in an entirely online format.

That event went well. Leaders of the center found that people liked bidding remotely, and appreciated receiving notifications and reminders. Having the auction spread over six days was also popular.

Since the online format went so well, it has returned every year since.

To get in on the auction action, visit cakeauction2025.givesmart.com, the D/SAOC website or Facebook page.

If you have any questions about it, call (515) 955-2273 or email leahg@dsaoc.com.

The auction is a fun way to support an entity that meets urgent needs in our region.

D/SAOC offers safety, support and hope to adult and child victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and violent crime. It does the same for the families and friends of homicide victims.

It operates a shelter in Fort Dodge for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Its services include counseling, court advocacy and support groups.

D/SAOC serves 20 counties in north central Iowa.

Providing all those services requires money, and the government is not going to pick up all of the bill. That’s why the Cake Auction is so important.

We encourage people to participate in the auction. Doing so will help to make a difference for people, perhaps including our friends and neighbors, who are in a crisis situation.