Online auction benefits perinatal grief support program Willow Story

A ministry focused on helping families through pregnancy loss and life-limiting prenatal diagnoses is raising money through an online auction July 14-18.

Willow Story, part of Living Alternatives Pregnancy Care Center in Pekin, is a perinatal grief support program and is led locally by Paula Scott. 

“One in four pregnancies results in a loss and one in 33 pregnancies has a pretty severe life-limiting prenatal diagnosis,” Scott said. “A lot of these families are going through those journeys completely alone, and so it is our goal to give them a companion on that journey. All of that is offered to them at no cost, so our goal is to have donors that will support us while we support these families.”

The auction features a variety of items, from vacation spot rentals to rain barrels, Peoria Riverfront Museum passes to out-of-town attractions, and gift cards to tickets to the 2026 Indianapolis 500.

Some of the more intriguing items include:

• A baseball autographed by the late Pete Rose, who added “I’m sorry” below the signature in reference to being banned from baseball for betting on games.
• A photography mini-session.
• Tickets to an NBA game of the winner’s choice, plus accommodations and a meal.
• A day of Navy SEAL tactical training for two.

The value of the items, minimum bids, and minimum bid increments are all listed on the event pages. Although the bidding doesn’t start until July 14, the items and information can be viewed now at the auction site.