Community helps Rotary Auction
raise over $60,000
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Organizers of the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s 65th annual Radio-TV Auction say they are continually surprised by the community’s generosity.
Staff photos/Mark Putnam
SERVICE ABOVE SELF — Rotary Auction Special Project Co-Chair Martin Puckett, far left, gives the “touchdown signal” marking the moment when it was announced on air that the effort to raise $25,000 for the Sister Mary O’Donnell Homeless Shelter had surpassed its goal.
FINAL HALF HOUR — It is Presque Isle Rotary tradition for the auction co-chairs to “work” the final 30-minute shift as on-air auctioneers. Taking their turn at the end of this year’s three-night run are Scott Violette, left, and Ralph McPherson while bid sorters Mike MacPherson and Mike Kelley look on.
OFF CAMERA — Rotarian Gene Lynch II, broadcast director, goes over last-minute changes to the half-hour auction item list with Presque Isle Rotary President Joy Barresi-Saucier.
EXTRA SETS OF EYES — Before transferring a new bid to the big board, Rotarians, from left, Floyd Rockholt, Milt Smith and Nancy Fletcher review the vital details — item number, bid amount, bidder’s name and phone number.
Watching the bidding action are members Frank Bemis, left, who joined in 1994 and Larry Clark, a Rotarian since 1969.
FUTURE ROTARIAN — Elementary-schooler Wilson Saucier takes a new bid from Presque Isle Rotary member Pam Sherman during the first half hour of the annual radio/television auction on Nov. 29 at the Northeastland Hotel. Other members of the telephone operator committee include, from left, Larry Clark, Brett Varnum, Susan Brown, Derik Smith, Matt McHatten, Cal Deschene, Tony Phillips, Chris Weimer and Pam Johnson.
“This year’s auction went off extremely well, and it never ceases to amaze me the level of giving from this community,” said Scott Violette, who co-chaired the recent three-night event with Ralph McPherson. “We raised just about $60,000 with $27,500 for the Special Project and $34,436 for the regular auction of which $14,000 will go to the seven charities we selected. In addition, we raised $1,150 for the Wintergreen Arts Center for the art items we sold.”
This year’s Special Project was Homeless Services of Aroostook. Money will be used to purchase new beds and footlockers for the local homeless shelter.
The seven non-profits chosen include the Francis Malcolm Science Institute, Hope and Justice Project, Aroostook Huskies Football Club, Friends of Aroostook, Martha and Mary’s Ministries, Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery and the Presque Isle Historical Society.
Proceeds from the auction will also support many other community projects throughout the entire year through the Rotary Youth Fund, Scholarship Fund, General Fund and World Community Service Fund.
Violette, who will be the senior auction co-chair next year, said the club will soon have a debriefing meeting and “come up with some changes for next year.”
“At this time, we will most likely keep the art at the Wintergreen Arts Center, but promote it better during the auction,” he said. “We also will try to get more area businesses involved.”
Violette and McPherson said the auction wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of a number of people.
“We couldn’t do this without the Rotarians that plan for and execute the auction every year and it would especially not be possible without the generous donations of the business community and of the bidders and pledgers for the Special Project,” said Violette.
“We want to thank the community, businesses, bidders and all those who made pledges to the Special Project,” McPherson said. “The auction does not happen without community support, and we are just overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.”
