An auction featuring more than 100 diverse items - including airplane tickets, Robert Bateman artwork and signed Oilers jerseys - is set to take place this weekend to raise funds for the Pink Heart Campaign.
Local residents Brandi Findley-Frowen and Pam Martin-Bohn originally had the idea to hold an online auction via Facebook to support the families affected by the Oct. 25 Racette School accident. Two of the families still have children receiving medical attention in Edmonton, while the Wolitski family lost their 11-year-old daughter Megan in the crash.
“As soon as we posted it, we got so many donations, we couldn’t handle it ourselves,” said Findley-Frowen. “It’s overwhelming. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Town of St. Paul Coun. Norm Noel got involved, and the auction was then linked to Noel’s Pink Heart Campaign. The Town of St. Paul agreed to provide the Recreation Centre free of charge on the afternoon of Dec. 9 for the organizers to offer a live and silent auction.
Some of the hot items include WestJet tickets to a destination of choice; guitars signed by Nickelback and Justin Bieber; and a Ryan Smyth-personalized Oilers’ jersey and a ballcap. Elk Point’s Mark Letestu, who plays with the Colombus Blue Jackets, has agreed to come to the event, and will give his time on the ice to the highest bidder.
On a recent visit to St. Paul, renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman got involved, by donating his latest book, with a personalized drawing on the inside, to the auction. “He drew an eagle with three hearts and signed it,” said Findley-Frowen.
Doors for the event open at 12 p.m., with entertainment to follow, as Cassidy Zahar offers her singing talents and Silhouette Dance School students perform a dance. The live auction then begins at 2 p.m.
Two mini-online auctions were also held in the lead-up to the event, with both raising over $3,000, while a third mini-online auction is set to happen in the near future. People can check the Hats for Healing Auction Information Page on Facebook for more updates.
Findley-Frowen says she and other people raising funds would like to do anything they can to ease the stress on the affected families and encouraged people to “just come and show your support. These families are still in need. They have a long road ahead of them.”
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