Hank Booth pleaded with a crowd enjoying chocolate and tea Sunday afternoon at Free State High School.

“There’s somebody right now in Lawrence who needs your help,” said the emcee during a live auction benefit for the Lawrence Community Shelter. Booth is station manager of KLZR FM-105.9 and KLWN AM-1320.

Bidders were opening up their wallets and purses to fund one month’s worth of services for one person at the shelter at 214 W. 10th St. near downtown.

On the auction floor, six people paid $500 for aid for one month and 11 donated $125 for one week’s worth.

The sixth annual “Chocolate and Tea at Three” is one of two major fundraisers put on throughout the year by the shelter’s board members. The shelter also receives some funding from the city, federal government, private donations and other projects.

Donors came through at Sunday’s event as they helped organizers earn about $22,000 to best the $20,000 goal, said Loring Henderson, the shelter’s executive director.

Victoria Warner, a Free State High School junior and event volunteer, picks up a chocolate cupcake during the sixth annual Chocolate

“The Lawrence generosity is really great. When there’s a problem like this, people are just very supportive,” he said.

Many people were busy only two days away from the general election, Henderson said, but they sent donations in early.

“There’s a constant need to raise funds,” Henderson said. “It’s also a chance to provide public education. You have to tell people what’s going on about the issue of homelessness.”

Tickets cost $25, and participants could bid on items in a silent auction.

Henderson said this week the shelter will expand to serve 31 adults at night. During the day, it serves 35 to 50 people with its programs.

Sunday’s fundraiser will help pay for existing jobs and housing programs as well as help offset day-to-day staffing costs and general overhead expenses, organizers said.

Henderson said the shelter’s staff and board are looking at alternate locations for a possible expansion when the Salvation Army moves from its downtown location.

Overall, during the last few years, the city, neighborhood residents and area shelters have made positive strides in dealing with the city’s homeless situation, Henderson said.

“We have to reassure the city that things are being done to deal with the problem, and go forward,” he said.

City statistics from 2005 reported the homeless population at 112.

Victoria Warner, a Free State junior, volunteered at the event through the high school’s Key Club.

“I heard about it, and I just thought I could be very supportive,” she said.

Bob Davis, the Kansas University and Kansas City Royals play-by-play man, and radio engineer and announcer Bob Newton attended to support the organization. City Commissioner Boog Highberger and state Sen. Marci Francisco also attended.