Annual Rotary auction supports local projects, as well as cadets and Knights of Columbus

The annual Rotary Club of Huntsville Christmas Auction is back, with hundreds of items valued, in total, at more than $50,000.

Proceeds from the auction support Rotary’s community initiatives, including projects like the facelift on Hunters Bay Trail which got underway this year with some landscaping and painting of the Avery Beach pavilion, and support for organizations like the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. The club also has a human development fund which helps people access basic needs they can’t afford like eye glasses, walkers, or emergency relief if their Hydro is cut off.

The club had to cancel or postpone some of its other fundraisers this year, like Dockfest and its pancake breakfast at the Maple Festival.

They were sensitive to businesses who may be struggling this year due to the pandemic, but quickly discovered that many were still in a position to generously donate items or funds that could be used to purchase gift certificates for area businesses and restaurants.

Supplementing those items are several dozen hand-crafted wooden gifts, like Muskoka chairs, rocking horses, games, and wine racks, made by Rotarians, as well as paintings by local artist Helena Renwick.

The club has offered auction space to both the Knights of Columbus and the 844 Norseman Royal Canadian Air Cadets who had events with fundraising auctions cancelled last spring, so that they can raise funds for their own organizations.

Proceeds from the auction support Rotary’s community initiatives, like installing new benches (above right) along Hunters Bay Trail (supplied)

Bidders must register at huntsvillerotaryauction.com—be sure to do that early as Rotarians need to contact you to confirm details. The online auction closes on December 6, 2020 during a live event broadcast on YourTV from 12 p.m. until 4: 30 p.m., but bids can be made at any time in the lead up to that date.

Rotarian Rob Saunders said that the club is appreciative of the generosity of all of the businesses who donated this year, as well as the efforts of auction chair, Mary Rashleigh, in particular.

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