LAMAR COUNTY — First Priority of South Mississippi will host its 27th annual auction April 16 at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg.
J.D. Simpson, executive director of First Priority of South Mississippi, said the organization’s mission is to unite students across Pine Belt middle and high schools through student-led church networking clubs.
Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, who recently re-retired in December 2025, will be the guest speaker at the auction and will share his faith story.
Items in the silent auction have a combined value of $4,720 at the time of writing, including a brand-new Winchester Model 9422 rifle valued at $500, currently the most expensive item in the auction.
Winners in the silent auction do not have to be present to claim their winnings. However, there will be a live auction with exclusive items at the event.
Those interested in participating in the silent auction can bid on items on the auction’s Zeffy page.
At the time of writing, only three items had been bid on, but that is typical, according to Simpson.
“The week of, bids start gaining ground because everyone’s wanting to say, ‘If I start now, someone’s going to outbid me,’” Simpson said.
A single auction ticket will cost $30, but the minimum cost to meet Rivers is listed at $350 through the “Non-Golf Package for 2,” which includes two tickets for the meet-and-greet but not the live auction.
A corporate golf tournament will also be held as part of the event. The minimum sponsorship level to gain access to the tournament is the $1,000 Silver level.
The highest sponsorship level is the “Golf & Clay Shoot + Hub City Hustle” package at $3,000.
Those interested in sponsoring or purchasing tickets for the event can sign up on the organization’s website.
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