Naples car auction to benefit St. Matthew’s House

Exotic and luxury cars are up for auction, and those proceeds will go to a great cause. This car auction in Naples is St. Matthew’s House’s largest fundraiser of the year.

WINK News got to see how this event will entertain and help all of our Southwest Florida neighbors.

People paid $100 just for a chance to luxury cars. Some paid more than $200 for an opportunity to drive away with one of them. And all of that money is going straight to St. Matthew’s House.

With dozens of cars up for auction, some came to win. Kevin FEar decided to place a bid. “I like the Aston Martin. I like the VW thing, 49 town, and country. I’m all over the place,” said Fear.

Others just came to look around. Lyn Kemper is one of those people. “Seeing the car, see the prices, see the people, and I just enjoy it,” said Kemper.

Charlie Train is actually here to sell a car, but that wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. “I’ll get over. I get a box of Kleenex, and I’ll be fin,” Train said.

Train has owned a 1955 Mercedes for more than 20 years, and now he’s selling it. But he is glad that his sale will help St. Matthew’s House. “The profits go to a good cause. So, we’ll give it a shot,” he said.

St. Matthew’s House says it needs all the donations it can get to help people beta drug addiction, battle homelessness and offer meals to those in need, along with its partners.

Bob Irzyk is the director of marketing and communications at St. Matthew’s House. “Their money is going far less than it used to do. So instead of possibly going out and having to spend all this money on groceries, they can come out to our food distributions,” said Irzyk. “Get groceries from us instead and allocate that money into an area where rents have gone up, cost of tuition for their children has gone up. Medicine has gone up.”

St. Matthew’s Hosue says it hopes to take in $200,000 from this auction alone. And the organization expects to gain $800,000 from all the fundraisers combined for the weekend’s automotive experience.

If you missed Friday’s auction, there’s still a chance to see some cool cars. Cars on Fifth is on Saturday. Tickets are $30 and will also benefit St. Matthew’s House.