PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Rotary Club is celebrating a successful 72nd annual Rotary Auction that, together with donations, raised nearly $80,000 to benefit the community.
This year’s auction saw some big changes, including switching to a fully online format. Donors and bidders still rallied behind the event as the auction itself raised nearly $30,000. These proceeds will be disbursed to four community causes, including the Quoggy Jo Ski Center, Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle Youth Hockey, and the Presque Isle Rotary Scholarship.
President Clint Deschene noted, “On behalf of Presque Isle Rotary, I want to thank all the businesses and residents for again supporting our auction. In our first year completely on-line, we knew it would be a change, but the kindness and tradition from all our supporters continued to result in another great year.”
Online bidding through Gregg Auctions ended on Nov. 8; well over 400 items donated by local businesses were auctioned off. An auction celebration evening was generously hosted by the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Presque Isle where Rotarians and other community leaders gathered to support the final hours of the auction and continue to gather donations towards this year’s Community Project.
This year, the Presque Isle Rotary Club teamed up with the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club to raise money in support of the Going Places Network PI Loop. Philanthropist Mary Smith had issued a challenge to the clubs to raise $50,000 towards the project to construct bus stop shelters and that goal was met.
“All of the money that is raised through our special project and regular auction goes right back in to the community. Each dollar makes a positive impact each year and we are proud to be able to carry on that tradition in our 72nd year of our auction,” Auction co-chair Sarah Ennis said.
The auction celebration evening also included a Pies for Polio event, where local community members volunteered to get donations from the community to either get a pie in the face or be saved from getting a pie in the face. In good fun, all six of the Pies for Polio volunteers, including Dick Palm, Leigh Smith, Chief Laurie Kelly, Todd Saucier, Sherry Sullivan and Ben Greenlaw, got a pie in the face. This effort raised an additional $1,300.
“We were so excited to bring this new element to our auction celebration evening and showcase Rotary International’s End Polio Now efforts while simultaneously showcasing our Rotary auction. We’re grateful to those individuals who volunteered to be the faces of our Pies for Polio event, and helped us raise funds and awareness for such important work,” fellow auction co-chair Rachel Rice said.
The members of the Presque Isle Rotary Club want to thank all donors, bidders and supporters for continuing to help make the Presque Isle Rotary Auction a success. Anyone who is interested in joining the Presque Isle Rotary Club in doing good in the community can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org, connect with us on Facebook or contact any Rotary member.
