For two weeks every April, and for the last 54 years, the “Spirit of Rotary” has roared in Christian and Trigg counties — dollar after dollar, and donation after donation, churning for the youth and senior citizens of south western Kentucky.
Such essence only continued during Wednesday’s “Night No. 3” of the 74th Annual Hopkinsville Rotary Auction, when Cadiz Rotary Club officials visited a bustling War Memorial Building and returned $1,000 “in kind” back to Christian County, after emissaries paid homage to last week’s 54th Annual Cadiz Rotary Radio Auction for the same token.
Over the years, the two groups have had a playful rivalry in fundraising efforts — particularly as the Hopkinsville cell helped seed those first efforts in Cadiz more than five decades ago.
But the fun and games create an unrivaled rally for south western Kentucky, with some of the highest grossing auction efforts per capita in the country.
Fresh off of co-chairing a drive to $375,000, Cadiz Rotary Club President Ashley Joiner said these full efforts from both communities have been invigorating.
If there’s anything to be taken away from Hopkinsville’s organization, Joiner said the next big step for Cadiz could be improved live streaming and video options for bidders — who might be more enticed to give if more auctions were held on YouTube, Facebook Live or other similar mediums.
Both have been used by the Cadiz club in the past, especially during the pandemic, and the annual online store has only proven to be a major success for the auction.
Meanwhile, if there’s any singular individual who has seen the full growth of the Hopkinsville and Cadiz clubs and their fundraising efforts over the decades, it’s noted and legendary Christian County historian William Turner.
As usual Wednesday, he was camped there on the left inside of the War Memorial Building — awaiting passersby to stop and generously give to the famed Hopkinsville “GOAT” Club.
He watched, brick-by-brick, as Hopkinsville Community College came to be — now a place where many of these Trigg and Christian County dollars go. And, naturally, he remembers those scenes from years ago like they were yesterday.
According to Hopkinsville Auction Chair Kelly Gates, more than 100 items sold Wednesday for $9,341, more than $6,600 came from the Diner and Sweet Shop, more than $27,000 was raised from the “Hour” and “GOAT” clubs, and through three days, the auction has raised $273,734.15.
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