For 25 years, the Humane Society of Beaufort County has gathered people and prizes, turned on the microphone and upped the ante for animals at the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

HSBC’s annual auction takes place Saturday night at the Washington Civic Center. Featuring artwork, gift baskets filled with pet-related items, jewelry, handmade crafts, home-baked goods and bigger ticket items such as a bicycle, auction items are donated by local businesses for a good cause.

“I think that because we do have community that cares about animals and doesn’t mind donating their time and money or products, it continues to be a success every year,” Dr. Marty Poffenberger, president of the HSBC, said in a past interview.

The purpose is to raise money to help pay for one of the missions of the Humane Society of Beaufort County: spaying and neutering animals to reduce the number of unwanted animals on the streets and in the shelter. This includes reduced rates to spay and neuter for those animals being adopted from the Betsy Bailey Animal Control Facility; supporting spay/neuter clinics, with reduced rates for procedures; and financial assistance to individual pet owners for the procedure.

Featuring food, beverages, a silent auction and raffles in between the live auction of items, the event continually draws a large crowd, including “regulars” who return year after year, according to Poffenberger.

As 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the event, commemorative T-shirts will be available, as well.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased through the Humane Society’s website at humanesocietyofbeaufortcounty.com or by calling 252-945-1223. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden St., Washington.