Along with having a outpouring of support in the form of volunteers over the weekend, the 35th Elks Radio Auction also managed to raise thousands of dollars for the community.
On Sunday night, just around the supper hour, the Elks hall was bustling with people. Rows of tables with items of all sizes, and types were arranged, and people eyed up which ones they were interested in bidding on.
Near the front of the hall, like in years past, a table of volunteers answered phones, which another small group marked bids on a large chalkboard, and yet another group sat at a table, announcing the items live on air through the Spur radio station.
“Our community just outdoes itself all the time,” said Elks president Jim Turton, the morning after the event wrapped up. “It’s so supportive.”
In the end, cash donations from the community to the auction totaled $4,500, while members estimate about $18,000 to $20,000 was raised through the sale of donated items.
Despite the downturn in the economy, Turton says it was amazing to see how people still showed support for the cause. Hundreds of people stopped by the hall over the weekend to view the auction items, while many of those people also put bids on the assortment of items available.
“It’s like a big family getting together,” says Turton, as he describes the atmosphere over the weekend.
Money raised through the auction goes to the Elks organization, which supports a number of causes in the community, including the hospital, athletic groups, organizations involved in the arts, and many more.
Along with being successful in raising funds, the auction was also successful in attracting volunteers to help out. At one point, organizers felt they had enough volunteers, but people still kept coming in, says Turton.
“It was incredible.”
Overall, Turton says he has a hard time putting to words the way he feels about the turnout and success of the event.
“There are no words to cover it, other than awesome.”
