Treat Yourself, and Local Charities!

Dinner for two at Stone Brewing Company. An iPad. A tour of San Diego Central Jail and lunch with Sheriff Bill Gore.

These are just a few of the dozens of items that will be up for bid starting Monday as part of a silent auction for County employees. The best part? All sale proceeds will go to an important cause: charities supported by San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO). The non-profit organization gives donations from County of San Diego, Superior Court employees and retirees to local non-profit agencies and employees in crisis.

“Every single dime we raise will go to CECO funds,” said Mike Davis, a Senior Emergency Services Coordinator with OES who is co-organizing the event.

During lunch breaks, you can check out photos of the items and place bids by emailing: sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov. Or, you can get a look at the items in person between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the County Operations Center campus in 5560 Overland Ave., Room 172 in San Diego. The auction wraps up at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

As part of its first-ever silent auction, CECO will offer more than 60 items donated by County employees. They range from tours of County facilities such as the County Medical Examiner’s Office or two adult passes to the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park to a limited edition 50th Anniversary San Diego Chargers laser-printed football. Also included is a dinner for two worth up to $50 at one of the Stone Brewing Co. World Bistro and Gardens, a white iPad 2 and a tour of the San Diego Central jail and lunch with the Sheriff. Full list of items up for bid.

CECO contributions make a big difference in the community. In 2012, the organization distributed $269,614 in donations to nearly 100 agencies. The money bought a laptop for the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, food and bowls for Meals on Wheels San Diego, medical gloves for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and many other items. For more information, check out the organization’s 2013 campaign video.

So, you can feel a little less guilty about pulling out your credit card—at least to make these purchases. Thanks in advance!