HOULTON ROTARY AUCTION DECLARED A HUGE SUCCESS

Posted By Fgrant


The Houlton Rotary Club has declared this year’s Radio & TV Auction a huge success.  The 57th annual auction brought in a gross of over $57,000 which is a 14% increase over last year.  According to club president Ryan Bushey, “This is the biggest auction we’ve experienced in recent years.  Our thanks go out to all of the donors for their items and the public who called in and bid.  They are the people that truly make the auction the success that it has been for these 57 years.”

After expenses are paid, the funds will be disbursed to a variety of charities and causes selected by the club with the major recipient being the Just For Kids Playground.  The playground project will receive $12,500.00 towards new equipment.  This is the 3rd time in recent years that the playground has been a recipient of auction funds.

The Dominican Water Project will receive $5,000 while $2,000 will go to Backpacks for Kids project and the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum will get $1,500 toward their computerized cataloging system.  Other beneficiaries of the auction include the Salvation Army, Dollars For Scholars at Houlton, Hodgdon, Southern Aroostook, East Grand and GHCA, Cary Library, Student Recognition Project, Rotary Youth Exchange and paint for the Boy and the Boot statue.

In addition to the bidding on the items, the Rotary Club raises money through the auction from selling ads in the supplement, sponsorships and from selling tickets for $500 in fuel from Dead River Company.  The winner of the fuel this year is Paul Graham.  In addition, three Boy & the Boot Statues were sold for the Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation with each representing a $1,000 donation to the foundation.

The auction attracts listeners and bidders from near and far with many people tuning in from all around the country on the Internet.  And, those coming home for the holidays tune in or stop by the auction to visit family and friends.  Lori Weston, Auction Chair, said, “I heard comments from many in the community who recognize the tradition of the Houlton Rotary Auction.  They enjoy the excitement and want to be a part of it while helping out a good cause.”

The Radio & TV Auction is the major fundraiser for the Houlton Rotary Club and the success of the auction allows the club to fund many worthwhile projects.  The club extends its thanks to all who helped in the success of the event.  Bushey concluded by saying, “This auction would not be possible each year without the continued support of our local businesses and artisans and our generous bidders.  Please remember to shop locally to support the businesses that support our community.”

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