Rotary gearing up for annual charity auction

Special to The Jefferson Herald
Area residents looking for an evening of fun and entertainment to support a good cause are invited to attend the Rotary Club of Jefferson’s 16th annual dinner and charity auction Nov. 14 at the Elks Lodge in Jefferson.

Tickets are now available for the steak dinner, served by the BPO Does, which also includes complimentary wine. A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with the meal at 6:30 and the live auction starting at 8.

For tickets, contact any member of the Rotary Club. Andy Harland at Don’s Ace Hardware is ticket sales chairman.

A variety of items will be auctioned in both silent and live formats.

Auction packages are expected to include family vacation trips, weekend getaways for couples, theater and sporting event tickets, a weeklong trip to Key West, group dinners in unique locations, home decorating packages, cheesecakes, pies and other home-baked treats, original art and limited-edition prints, home appliances, golf outings, sports and recreation equipment, locally-raised meat bundles and more.

Headlining the auction again this year is a safari and travel excursion to South Africa, which will include drives through wildlife refuges to see African wildlife up close, with onsite accommodations.

“There’s something for everyone at this auction,” said Tim Christensen, event chairman. “It’s a fun and entertaining evening, not to mention a wonderful meal to enjoy with friends. What better way to spend an evening to benefit so many in the community and county.

“This event would not be possible without the generous support of countless Greene County businesses and individuals and many supporters from beyond the area. We sincerely thank them for their ongoing support.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser have touched nearly everyone in the area over the past 15 years.

Funds have been used to help construct the Olympic plaza with a bronze statue of gold medal archer Doreen Wilber; erect the pavilion in the Thomas Jefferson Gardens; purchase middle school gym signage, musical instruments and library equipment for Greene County Community Schools; help fund emergency winter meals for the Meals on Wheels program; sponsor safe after-prom activities for the county’s high schools; provide funds for the KIDS with a Connection mentoring program; sponsor the Greene County High School Interact service club; support the Christian Action Resource Center (food pantry) and the Webb House youth center; provide $2,000 annually in scholarships; support the local Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-a-Family; support the Greene County elementary playground; and many other projects.

Raffle tickets for drawings for eight $250 winners are also available from any Rotary member.

Each raffle ticket has eight chances to be drawn for the cash prizes. Raffle ticket holders need not be present to win in the cash drawings.