Rotary prepares for 2014 auction

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Rotary Club is gearing up for its 67th annual Radio and TV Auction, which will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 2-4. The three-night event will be broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel by radio on Big Country 97 (96.9) FM and statewide television on Time Warner Channel 9.
Auction Co-Chairs Frank Bemis and Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, and more than 100 Presque Isle Rotarians, are hard at work preparing for this year’s auction, which will benefit eight non-profit organizations in the region, as well as raise funds for this year’s special project, the Presque Isle Community Center.
“The fact that the Rotary Auction is in its 67th year is a testament to all our great businesses in our community that demonstrate a ‘service above self’ attitude,” Bemis said. “Every year, our club is overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the business community at large in their support for the selected organizations that make such a difference in our community. The club is humbled by these gracious acts and has great gratitude for our communities’ involvement. It all makes a difference in where we live.”
In addition to TV and radio, the auction can also be followed on Facebook at presqueislerotary, Twitter @PIRotary and on the club’s website at www.presqueislerotary.org. Bids are only accepted by the phone numbers (207) 540-1391 or 1-866-902-2003 during the auction, which takes place from 7-10 p.m. each evening with items up for bid every half hour.
This year’s auction features nearly 600 items from over 180 donors with a total value of more than $46,000. The auction has a long list of 3-night items, 1-night items and half-hour items. The 3-night items include an infrared portable heater (Item 1501) and a weekend for two at Moose Point Camps (Item 1522). The 1-night items include a gift certificate for jumbo lobster and steak dinner (Item 1202) and a shower door, silver frame with clear glass, (Item 1401). The half-hour items include a one-night stay for two at the Presque Isle Hampton Inn (Item 151), as well as a Griffey Jr. and Schilling Rookies Donruss Baseball Card Set (Item 321).
The auction will also be offering all artwork as 3-night items for the first time. All proceeds from the art items will be going to the Wintergreen Arts Center, where art pieces are currently on display. They can also be found on Rotary’s Facebook page.
Proceeds from this year’s regular auction will go toward eight area non-profit organizations that were chosen for funding. Recipients include:
• Martha and Mary’s Ministries ($3,500) to assist in the purchase of a new commercial-grade stove with venting hood to serve those in need of a meal.
• Catholic Charities ($3,000) to assist in purchasing a chisel plow for the Farm for ME project, to expand growing options as they provide locally grown produce to people in need.
• Central Aroostook Humane Society ($2,000) to assist in purchasing a fire detection system to provide a safe and secure environment for the animals at the shelter.
• Wintergreen Arts Center ($1,500) to assist in the implementation of the Summer Session Arts Program.
• United Way of Aroostook ($2,000) to assist in promoting literacy and increasing reading frequency in families by getting a book each month to every Aroostook County child from birth to age 5.
• C.A.N.C.E.R ($1,000) to assist in the continued creation and distribution of comfort bags to help local individuals diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment at Cary Medical Center and TAMC.
• University of Maine at Presque Isle — geology department ($500) to assist in the expense of an Aroostook County student to do educational travel.
• Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp ($500) to fund scholarships for local students to attend the local camp.
The Presque Isle Rotary Club also chooses a project or organization to receive special or major project status. Past major projects have included mammography, dialysis and other much-needed equipment for the local hospital, a new roof for the Catholic Charities of Maine warehouse in Caribou, upgrades to Mantle Lake Park, lighting at the Nordic Heritage Center, and the establishment of a non-profit dental clinic to serve disadvantaged children in the region, just to name a few.
This year’s special project goal of $25,000 is earmarked for the Presque Isle Community Center, which will be located within walking distance of downtown Presque Isle. The rec center would provide something for citizens of all ages, and will include a gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, a walking track, a pool and splash pad, and space designed to meet the needs of young families, teens and seniors. The project complements the city’s efforts to improve the region’s business climate, and provides another reason for businesses to relocate to Presque Isle and remain here.
Last year the club raised over $60,000 for various organizations and charitable causes including the Ronald McDonald House, Greater Haystack Trail Association, ACAP, Quoggy Jo, Star City ATV Club, and Easton Elementary School.
Bemis and LeBlanc-Eggert, along with all Rotarians, are looking forward to another exciting auction this year. The club could not successfully complete this enormous task without the support of donors, viewers, listeners, and bidders.
Auction booklets with a complete listing of items were inserted in the Nov. 19 weekly newspapers and extra copies are available at participating local merchants.