The East Tennessee Christian Home and Academy is putting on their annual benefit dinner and silent auction Friday, April 26, and everyone is invited.

Director of Development Ron Marvel said they are bringing award-winning musician Tim Timmons to perform.

“We normally have 300 to 400 people who attend,” Marvel said.

The academy has put on the dinner and auction for roughly 13 years, a long-standing fundraiser Marvel said allows participants to connect with churches and other individuals.

“People enjoy it because of the social aspect,” he said. “People can get out and show support.”

For the silent auction, he said dozens of churches provide baskets of items up for bid, including a “Get out of the Dog House” basket, in which husbands can get a basket of items including jewelry, flowers, gift cards to their wife’s favorite restaurant and a one-night stay at a fancy hotel in Johnson City.

This year, they will also have a football helmet signed by Joe Montana, as well as a football he signed.

“We have been blessed the past few years to have really good artists,” Marvel said. “They are not charging much of anything beyond transporting him here.”

He said the ability to find people like Timmons is a sign they are doing God’s work.

“It is a statement of God’s ability to provide,” Marvel said.

Many churches donate their time in addition to baskets and other items. Marvel said they are hosting the event at Boones Creek Christian Church, and many other churches are sending volunteers to help out wherever they can.

“We have a lot of volunteers helping us,” he said.

Those interested in volunteering themselves can do so by calling the office at 423-542-4423. He said those interested in attending need to RSVP before April 24.

The auction will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, April 26, and the dinner will begin at 6:30. The church is located at 105 Christian Church Road.