Ciara Parizek/MDN Holly Jacobs stands with one of her acrylic paintings in the auction at the Be-the-Cause-in-Art fundraiser for Parkinson's and mental health at the Minot Country Club on Monday.

Minot artist Holly Jacobs collaborated with Kim Urban to organize the first Be-the-Cause-in-Art fundraiser for Parkinson’s Disease and mental health on April 15 at the Minot Country Club.

Six months ago, Jacobs had the spontaneous idea to start a fundraiser for Parkinson’s Disease and mental health. She has Parkinson’s and mental illness.

“It just popped into my head, because I have Parkinson’s and … I see a psychiatrist and a counselor,” she said.

Both Jacobs and Urban are hoping the event will be an annual one and will continue contributing to the Minot community.

Her main inspiration for the fundraiser was Doug Goetz. He has Parkinson’s, as well, and still does all he can despite that.

The fundraiser was held at Minot Country Club, and every seat was sold out. Around 120 people responded to RSVP that they would be attending, and a few “stragglers” wandered in for an estimated total of about 130 attendees.

The event was for all ages, some families bringing their children along to enjoy food and art.

The plethora of items at auction was quite the array. There were collage pieces, acrylic and watercolor paintings, homemade jewelry and poetry. All the artwork and crafts were made by local artists who donated them for the cause. Some of Jacobs’ work was included with the auction as well.

A silent auction also was held for baskets given by local businesses.

“We did have people see our ad on social media and they reached out to us,” Urban said.

They also had a QR code available for people to make donations if they were unable to make it to the fundraiser or did not want to make a bid on the artwork.

All funds will be given to various nonprofit organizations in Minot, such as Disabled American Veterans and We Evolve Therapy Services. If she can make more than $2,000, Jacobs said, she would like to pay for a military veteran who has Parkinson’s to take an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

As the year goes on, Jacobs is hoping to do more events and continue to make a difference in the community.