![Iron Horse owners Mike and Nique Heafner. "Every month we try to do something for charities," says Heafner.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/2a/5a/2a5adba3f5039d0f68cb29522a990354.jpg "Iron Horse owners Mike and Nique Heafner. "Every month we try to do something for charities," says Heafner.")
![Emanuel Baptist Faith Riders (left to right) Don and Kathy Arrington and Charles Strowd were bidders at the auction. "We believe in God and Liberty and helping people out," says Strowd.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/d9/3c/d93cc8a0d6ea16afacc7fc70f3fe0a8d.jpg "Emanuel Baptist Faith Riders (left to right) Don and Kathy Arrington and Charles Strowd were bidders at the auction. "We believe in God and Liberty and helping people out," says Strowd.")
"This place can be a real downer at times with all the sadness and stress, so just know that each item you sent brought us some relief." North Carolina soldier SSG. Isila L. was stationed at a remote location in Afghanistan, last year, when she received an Operation North State Christmas gift box.
ONS Founder Terry Snyder says they are currently accepting names for this year's Christmas boxes, which, by the way, will be loaded with 26 North Carolina state products.
This past weekend, the nonprofit held its first annual NCCares Auction to raise funds for shipping 1,500 Christmas boxes.
NCCares Auction
At Iron Horse Motorcycles in Monroe, NC, the auction lineup was like a patchwork quilt representing the many parts of North Carolina life - a Biltmore Estate Package, NASCAR, basketball, original pieces of art, gift baskets, wineries and beloved state attractions, like Grandfather Mountain, NC Aquarium, Zoo, Battleship and much more.
For most part, it was mild bidding for the easy-going audience. If you noticeably scratched your nose, you might have ended up with NASCAR's Richard Petty autograph that's going on the back of t-shirts to be packed in the Christmas boxes.
Other military service nonprofits showed up in support of the cause - President of the USO of North Carolina John Falkenbury and A Rose Of Thanks Founder Matthew Hunt.
Falkenbury reminded the audience that North Carolina service members are the first-called, frontline fighters. "Dig deep into your pockets because those men and women are digging deep to help us. When they're called, we're there."
NC Goodies For Deployed NC Troops
ONS Christmas boxes will contain some 26 homegrown products. Here is a partial list:
- NC Sportsman Magazine
- Our State Magazine
- Texas Pete Hot Sauce
- Thorlos Socks
- Moravian Cookies
- Billy Graham Library Publication
- Red Bird Peppermint Candy
- Goodness Gracie Cookies
- Lance Crackers
- Peanut Roaster "Hot Honeys"
- S & D Coffee's Hot Chocolate
- NASCAR's Richard Petty autographed t-shirt
Consider sponsoring a Christmas Box - cost is $34.00. Find out more about ONS or donate online at : http://www.operationnorthstate.com.
Have a taste of some of these North Carolina products at Kicks & Grins in Charlotte (http://www.kicksandgrinsclt.com).
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