Mental Health America of Licking County’s Executive Director and inveterate sports fan, Paddy Kutz was so excited to secure a donation for their upcoming Java & Jazz benefit auction from Newark native and Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland.

“There’s a lot of people after these,” she said. “They’ve been holding them for us under lock and key.”

The autographed size 11 Under Armour baseball cleats are just one of items up for auction at the March 5th event taking place at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus.

In addition to the more than 70 items to be auctioned off, each guest will participate in a drawing for a chance at a 2011 Toyota Camry courtesy of Coughlin Automotive of Newark.

According to Kutz, the auction is a critical fundraiser for her agency.

“There is so much uncertainty right now about money. The only thing that is certain is that people need our help and we have to do everything we can to make sure we are still here to answer their calls.”

Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They can also be purchased online at www.mhalc.org.

More information about some of the items up for bid can be found at www.javaandjazz2011.blogspot.com.

Mental Health America of Licking County, an affiliate of Mental Health America, is a partner agency of the United Way and the Community Mental Health & Recovery Board.

Local Boy Makes Good, We Sell His Shoes!

Newark native and Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland  has had a couple of terrific season in "the bigs."


He has an 11-17 record and his pitched in both American League Championship Series and World Series games.  At the end of the 2010 regular season, he had a 4.08 ERA.


I'm not a big sports guy, but my boss, who is serious about her sports, is thrilled that we have a pair of Mr. Holland's Size 11 baseball cleats to offer at the auction.  The Under Armour shoes are signed and inscribed "ALCS Champs."


Included with the shoes is a signed baseball.