PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Rotary Club’s 66th annual Radio-TV Auction kicked off last night, and area residents are finding good deals and supporting several worthwhile non-profit organizations at the same time.
The auction, which continues tonight and wraps up Thursday night, is broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel from 7-10 p.m.
The club has a long list of auction items, including 3-night special items, one-night special items, regular one-night items, and art auction items. The event features nearly 700 auction items — valued at more than $50,000 — generously given by more than 200 donors.
Among this year’s big-ticket items include a 2008 Wildfire Scooter donated by Griffeth Ford Lincoln Mitsubishi and Griffeth Honda, a Honda generator donated by Katahdin Trust Co. and Harry’s Motor Sports, an infrared portable heater provided by TD Bank and Lynox Welding Supply, and 20 tickets to the Portland Sea Dogs’ Babe Ruth Skybox (game, food and non-alcoholic beverages included) contributed by Coca Cola of Portland.
Proceeds from this year’s regular auction will go toward six area non-profit organizations that were chosen for funding. The recipients selected include the Ronald McDonald House, Aroostook County Action Program, Greater Haystack Trail Association, Quoggy Jo Ski Club, Star City ATV Club and the Easton Elementary School.
Each year Rotary Club members choose a project or organization to receive Special or Major Project status. This year’s special project goal of $100,000 is earmarked to help the Aroostook House of Comfort fund the building of Aroostook County’s first hospice house, which will be situated between Caribou and Presque Isle. The House of Comfort will be a facility providing both palliative and hospice care for all of Aroostook County.
Proceeds from the auction will also support many other community projects throughout the entire year through the Rotary Youth, Scholarship, General and World Community Service funds.
“This year’s Rotary theme is ‘Engage Rotary — Change Lives.’ Each year for the past 66 years, the Rotary Club of Presque Isle has hosted an auction to support outstanding community charities,” said Ralph McPherson, Rotary president.
“How appropriate the theme of engaging and changing. That’s exactly what we do together when we participate in the auction. Your bids and pledges go to many worthwhile causes that affect lives throughout our region,” he said. “We are proud of our club and community, especially when we come together to raise money for worthy causes. Each time you make a bid or donation, you engage Rotary and change a life.”
Auction booklets with a complete listing of items were inserted in the Nov. 20 weekly newspapers and extra copies are available at participating local merchants.
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 the distribution center, which will be at the North Street Plaza, Suite 17, near Pat’s Pizza.
In addition to being broadcast on Time Warner Cable (Channel 9) and Big Country 97 (96.9 FM), a live streaming webcam of the quote board will be available on the club’s website (www.presqueislerotary.org). People can also follow the auction on Facebook at presqueislerotary and on Twitter at @PIRotary.
