Al Begin, chairman of the auction and vice-chairman of the Rotary Club of Truro, said the auction, which spans more than 60 years, is a “win-win” situation for all involved.
“Hopefully with only a few days remaining for people to bid, they will check out the auction at trurorotaryauction.com, make some bids, get some bargains on some great items and be able to give back to the community at the same time,” he said.
The website provides information on more than 700 items that are up for grabs, all while providing people with information required to make a bid. Just before noon on Thursday, the total bids sat at about $22,700.
“If someone outbids you, you will immediately receive an email to let you know that this has occurred so that you can make another bid to ensure that you get the item.”
The auction ends at 9 p.m. on Monday. Last year, 740 items garnered about $32,000, with another $9,000 coming in through monetary donations.
“It’s no secret that we are in tough economic times,” said Begin. “That affects people’s abilities to participate and bid in the auction. The tough economic times will also, unfortunately, have a direct impact on the number of requests for assistance that the Rotary Club of Truro will face in the coming year. All of the monies raised from the auction are given back to those in need through local and international projects.
Some of those initiatives the organization supports include the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Rotary House, assisting underprivileged children, and individual medical aid.
Taking about two months from start to finish, the auction is the major fundraiser for the rotary club.
“The more we raise, the more good that we can do,” Begin said.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Twitter: @TDNRaissa
