First Financial Bank is the Grand Sponsor of Three Valley Conservation Trust’s 10th Annual Auction for Acres, a fundraising dinner auction to held on Nov. 10 at the Wilks Conference Center, Miami University Hamilton, located at 1601 University Blvd.

“We are proud to support Three Valley Conservation Trust Auction for Acres,” said Shelley Spillane, First Financial Wealth Resource Group vice president and trust officer. “As managers of the organization’s endowment fund, we work closely with this dedicated team and witness firsthand their efforts in preserving the environment and culture for generations to come.”

The Dupps Company, Robert S. Cottrell, CFP, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Lloyd Ittel are Gold Sponsors. Hank Dupps, Senior Vice President of the Dupps Company noted that “the Dupps Company is seriously committed to conservation and preservation of our environment.”

There still is time for additional businesses, families and individuals to become sponsors. A tax deductible sponsorship helps promote the donor organization or family through the TVCT website, news releases and the auction program. Sponsorships are available at the following levels: $250 for a Sponsor (includes one ticket), $500 for a Silver Sponsor (two tickets), $1,000 for a Gold Sponsor (four tickets), and $3,000 for a Grand Sponsor (eight tickets). Other donations (large and small) help the land trust meet its financial and resource commitments.

The Three Valley Conservation Trust’s 2012 Auction for Acres will offer auction-goers a chance to bid on dinners, antiques, relaxing trips, hand-knotted oriental carpets, jewelry, guided tours, and collectibles.

Valuable vacation getaways, other items and services along with original sketches and paintings by John Ruthven, Christopher Walden (who will be painting on site that evening) and Marston Hodgin have been donated to raise funds for the Trust. This year the event will feature auctioneering by Doug Ross and piano playing by Joanna Klett. Auction co-chairs for 2012 are Valerie Edwards Elliott and Marlene Hoffman.

The Trust’s operating costs are derived from memberships plus proceeds from the Auction, which is expected to raise $50,000 this year. This approach is helping the 17-year old Three Valley Conservation Trust to protect 114 properties covering over 14,400 acres of farmland, habitat, woodlands and streams.

Tickets are $50. RSVPs will reserve your seat. The event includes gourmet food, wine and beer, music, and entertaining auctioneering. For auction reservations, to donate items or services or to volunteer, contact the Three Valley Conservation Trust office at 5920 Morning Sun Road, Oxford, OH 45056, call (513) 524-2150, or go to mgtvct@gmail.com.