LIMESTONE, Maine — For those who have vowed time and time again to get their shopping done before Christmas Eve, behold the annual Limestone Rotary Club Auction. Christmas waits for no one, and the stores are only going to get more hectic. The Limestone Rotary Club Auction has wrapped every part of the season in a comfortable evening, combining charity, good will, delicious food and great gifts. A tradition 59 years in the making, Limestone Rotarians spend months gathering prizes for bidding at the annual auction held at the Limestone Community School. Auction items range from a beautifully hand crafted lighthouse shed to Maine Black Bear tickets and from tuition credit at Northern Maine Community College to manicure and pedicure certificates; there are quality items for everybody.
Auction participants are given a book about a half an hour before the auction starts so that they can identify items for bidding and once the bidding starts, all bets are off.
“It’s a live auction, so anything can happen,” explained Limestone Rotarian and Auction Chair Pat Zenzius, stating that the auction can be a little bit crazy; the auctioneer has even been known to provide a bit of gentle ribbing to encourage an increased bid.
“One year I bid against my husband not even realizing that he was bidding, and sometimes friends will bid against each other,” Zenzius added, “it’s a lot of fun.”
It’s fun for all ages with plenty of toys on auction for youths.
While the Limestone Rotarians gather about $12,000 worth of auction items, they don’t realize $12,000 from the event.
“People can make some very good deals,” said Zenzius. “It’s a great place to come for Christmas shopping; gift certificates are great to give to teachers and the merchandise we’ve received will make very nice gifts,” she added.
While it can’t be easy generating auction items during a recession, the Limestone Rotary Club members are right on track with making sure that the action is just as successful as always.
According to Zenzius, though some businesses were understandably not able to donate as much this year, enough businesses have become first-time donors to the auction to offset the decrease.
Whether large or small, the Rotarians are tremendously appreciative of all items and optimistic that this will be a great auction to raise funds for the plethora of programs the Limestone Rotary Club supports.
Annually, the Limestone Rotary Club provides scholarships to students of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and the Loring Job Corps Center in addition to supporting community needs through the year.
Funds generated from the auction will go toward the $1,000 purchase of a shelter box, which includes a 10-person tent, ten sleeping bags, ground sheets, pots, tools, children’s school supplies and other items necessary for disaster victims as well as helping fund the kitchenette in the expanded Limestone Library.
“All the funds raised go toward supporting civic projects on the community, state or international level,” Zenzius said.
Keeping with the holiday theme, funds raised during the auction will also go toward the creation of Christmas Baskets, which are distributed to needy families during the holidays.
The auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend; dinner before the auction will be held at 5 p.m. and costs $9. Both events take place at the Limestone Community School.
The auction is shaping up to be a good time for a great cause; those interested in additional information may contact Limestone Rotarians Zenzius at 325-4667, Dottie Martin at 472-4191, Pete Huntress at 325-4948 or Cliff Rhome at 325-4019
Stores have already started hanging their Christmas decorations encouraging seasonal shopping and it’s only a matter of time before bell-ringers start fund-raising for worthy causes — auction bidders have the opportunity to receive great gifts by donating to worthy proactive nonprofit while enjoying the festive atmosphere of the live auction, all without facing crowded shops and traffic.
Auction participants are given a book about a half an hour before the auction starts so that they can identify items for bidding and once the bidding starts, all bets are off.
“It’s a live auction, so anything can happen,” explained Limestone Rotarian and Auction Chair Pat Zenzius, stating that the auction can be a little bit crazy; the auctioneer has even been known to provide a bit of gentle ribbing to encourage an increased bid.
“One year I bid against my husband not even realizing that he was bidding, and sometimes friends will bid against each other,” Zenzius added, “it’s a lot of fun.”
It’s fun for all ages with plenty of toys on auction for youths.
While the Limestone Rotarians gather about $12,000 worth of auction items, they don’t realize $12,000 from the event.
“People can make some very good deals,” said Zenzius. “It’s a great place to come for Christmas shopping; gift certificates are great to give to teachers and the merchandise we’ve received will make very nice gifts,” she added.
While it can’t be easy generating auction items during a recession, the Limestone Rotary Club members are right on track with making sure that the action is just as successful as always.
According to Zenzius, though some businesses were understandably not able to donate as much this year, enough businesses have become first-time donors to the auction to offset the decrease.
Whether large or small, the Rotarians are tremendously appreciative of all items and optimistic that this will be a great auction to raise funds for the plethora of programs the Limestone Rotary Club supports.
Annually, the Limestone Rotary Club provides scholarships to students of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and the Loring Job Corps Center in addition to supporting community needs through the year.
Funds generated from the auction will go toward the $1,000 purchase of a shelter box, which includes a 10-person tent, ten sleeping bags, ground sheets, pots, tools, children’s school supplies and other items necessary for disaster victims as well as helping fund the kitchenette in the expanded Limestone Library.
“All the funds raised go toward supporting civic projects on the community, state or international level,” Zenzius said.
Keeping with the holiday theme, funds raised during the auction will also go toward the creation of Christmas Baskets, which are distributed to needy families during the holidays.
The auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend; dinner before the auction will be held at 5 p.m. and costs $9. Both events take place at the Limestone Community School.
The auction is shaping up to be a good time for a great cause; those interested in additional information may contact Limestone Rotarians Zenzius at 325-4667, Dottie Martin at 472-4191, Pete Huntress at 325-4948 or Cliff Rhome at 325-4019
Stores have already started hanging their Christmas decorations encouraging seasonal shopping and it’s only a matter of time before bell-ringers start fund-raising for worthy causes — auction bidders have the opportunity to receive great gifts by donating to worthy proactive nonprofit while enjoying the festive atmosphere of the live auction, all without facing crowded shops and traffic.
