PI Rotarians gear up for 62nd annual auction

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Bid high and bid often. That’s what the co-chairs of the 62nd annual Presque Isle Rotary Radio/TV Auction hope community members will do as the club’s yearly fund-raiser kicks off in about four weeks.     The auction will be broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel in downtown Presque Isle Dec. 1-3 from 7-10 p.m.
“The auction runs in half-hour increments,” said Floyd Rockholt, auction co-chair, “so there’s six half-hour sections per night. The Rotarians team up and each serve as auctioneers for a 30-minute block. I’ve always been one of the people who’s been camera shy, but I guess this year I’ve got to get over that.”
This year, the Presque Isle Rotary Club will donate auction proceeds to Catholic Charities of Maine, Central Aroostook Humane Society, Wintergreen Arts Center, Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle Historical Society, SAD 1’s Emergency Fund and the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee. In addition, Rotarians hope to raise $25,000 to help the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club build its new clubhouse. The former building was destroyed by fire earlier this year.
“We solicit requests for funding, and this year we had over 28 requests,” said Rockholt. “We try to narrow it down to what we think are the most needy and what we think we can most help with.
“The auction also raises money for some of our regular Rotary programs like our Youth Fund, as well as World Community Service, Scholarship Fund and Paul Harris Fellows,” he said. “We have a bunch of internal programs that we fund through auction proceeds, too, each year.”
“Throughout the year – at any time – different groups request donations or support from the Presque Isle Rotary Club,” said Jeff Pangburn, auction co-chair, “and those programs enable us to have funds to be able to meet those needs year-round.”
With over $43,000 worth of merchandise, goods and services, officials are certain there’s something that will peak everyone’s interest this year.
“Some of our bigger items include an infrared portable heater, donated by Lynox Welding Supply and TD Banknorth; a 2008 Wildfire scooter, donated by Griffeth Ford and North Street Auto; downhill skis and a $500 gift card to Mojo’s, donated by Mojo’s and Katahdin Trust Co; and a Portland Sea Dogs game package donated by Coca-Cola that includes skybox seating for up to 20 people, food and non-alcoholic beverages,” said Pangburn.
“We also have an iPod Touch each night donated by MMG Insurance which includes a $50 gift card to download your favorite songs,” he said. “We have different items each year. We like to keep it interesting and exciting for bidders.”
Rotarians started seeking donations from businesses in June.
“We give all the Rotarians a solicitation sheet and we try to get them all back by the end of September,” said Rockholt. “Some of the businesses have given a little less this year because of the economy – and you’ve got to expect that … times are tough – but people are always very supportive.”
“This year we made a push to get new businesses – either new to the area or ones haven’t participated in the auction in recent years – involved,” Pangburn said. “We wanted to reach out to new businesses like the Hampton Inn, for example, and other area businesses that have expanded into central Aroostook County.”
While the Rotarians serve as on-air auctioneers, Pangburn is quick to point out that many more auctioneers are helping behind the scenes.
“The entire Rotary Club of about 100 people all get involved one way or another,” he said, “whether it’s answering phones, marking up the quote board, or running bids to the auctioneers. It’s a big production that all the Rotarians look forward to taking part in every year.”
As part of the overall Rotary Auction, the seventh annual Rotary Art Auction will once again be held.
“The Art Auction will feature paintings, drawings, carvings and even some handmade quilts,” said Pangburn, noting that one of the items up for bid will be a Christmas tree covered with wood carved ornaments, many of which will be made on the set during the three-night production.
Pangburn said proceeds from the sale of the auction merchandise will go to support local charities or the Rotary Club as the cost to produce the auction is covered by sponsorship and advertising dollars.
“When a business donates an item,” he said, “they can know that the proceeds from that are going to go to charity.”
Auction booklets will be available in the Wednesday, Nov. 18 issue of The Aroostook Republican, as well as at local businesses.
This year the auction can be heard on Big Country 97 and seen on Time Warner Cable Channel 9.
Bidders can call 764-6181 or 1-866-902-2003. Successful bidders will be notified following the last half-hour of each evening. They can pick up their items at auction storeroom, which this year will be at the Wintergreen Arts Center located at 149 State St. in Presque Isle.