Club begins solicitations phase
of 67th annual Rotary Auction
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Rotary Club is entering the solicitations phase of the 67th annual Rotary Auction. This year, the auction will be held Dec. 2-4, and is projected to raise approximately $50,000 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 off this year.
Every year for more than 60 years, local businesses generously donate products in support of the auction. Last year, the club raised over $30,000 for various organizations and charitable causes including Quoggy Jo Ski Club, Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, ACAP, Greater Haystack Trail Association, Easton Elementary School, and the Star City ATV Club. Rotary also had a wildly successful special project with over $400,000 raised for the Aroostook House of Comfort Hospice House.
There are several ways that businesses 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 televised for three nights on the local access channel through Time Warner Cable and will be aired statewide to reach a very broad audience. It is also broadcast on the radio through Townsquare Media 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 66 years, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has held an annual auction to raise funds to support various charities and non-profit organizations. Auction co-chairs Frank Bemis and Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, along with the entire Rotary Club, 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 mission can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or contact any Rotarian.
