Rotary Club solicits for annual auction
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Rotary Club is entering the solicitation phase of the 63rd annual Rotary Auction. This year the auction will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 2, and is projected to raise approximately $45,000 for local charitable organizations.
Over the next several weeks, Rotarians will be contacting local businesses and soliciting donations of goods and services to be auctioned this year. Every year for over 60 years, local businesses generously donate products in support of the auction. In 2009, the total value of items donated to the auction totaled over $46,000. The auction planning committee is hopeful that this amount will top $50,000 this year.
There are several ways that businesses can support the auction:
• Donate goods and services to be auctioned. The club auctions items ranging from simple gift certificates to items worth several thousand dollars. The proceeds support a great cause and provide positive exposure for the business.
• Advertise on television and in the booklet. The auction is broadcast for three nights on the local access channel through Time Warner Cable and this year will be broadcast statewide to reach a very broad audience. It is also broadcast on the radio through Citadel Broadcasting Big Country 97. Each half-hour time slot is sponsored by businesses that receive recognition throughout the night. Also, thousands of booklets are printed and distributed to individuals and businesses providing a number of advertising opportunities leading into the auction.
• Provide a direct donation. Many businesses and individuals choose to support the auction by making a tax deductible cash donation to directly benefit the charitable recipients.
For over 60 years, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has held an auction to raise funds to support various charities and non-profit organizations. Auction co-chairs Jeff Pangburn and Joy Barresi Saucier, along with the Presque Isle Rotary Club as a whole, are in full planning mode and looking forward to another exciting auction this year. The club could not successfully complete this enormous task without the generous and dedicated support of donors, viewers, listeners and bidders.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Rotary and its ideals can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or contact any Rotarian.
