The Senior Center of South Pearl River County will host its monthly penny auction Monday at 11:00 a.m. said Participation Coordinator Kathleen Penton.

The penny auction is hosted by Barbara Ellwin, volunteer coordinator for Halcyon Hospice, said Penton. Halcyon Hospice is located in Hattiesburg, but provides services to the Picayune area as well, Penton said.

Ellwin brings auction items, such as flags, pictures, yard ornaments, cooking utensils or dish towel sets for participants to bid on and gives every participant 25 pennies to bid with, Penton said.

Penton said the competition at the auction can get dramatic when two or three people bid on the same item. Usually around 40 people participate, but the auction is open to anyone in the public, Penton said. The penny auction works well at bringing new people to the senior center, Penton said.

It can be a challenge for the center to find exciting new entertainment for senior citizens.

“We’re always looking for different things that seniors like,” Penton said.

The penny auction began as a one-time event years ago, Penton said, but participants enjoyed it so much that the senior center made it a monthly event.

Elwin will also give the attendees information about Halcyon’s hospice services during the event, Penton said.