On May 22, 1951, members of the Hopkinsville Rotary Club took $300 and jetted up to Atlantic City for the 42nd Annual Rotary Convention, determined to bring home new ideas for growth and innovation in Christian County.
Fast forward to 2025, and despite conventional advice and wisdom, the storied civic group finds itself less than a month away from its 75th Annual Rotary Radio Auction — a community tradition that’s, mathematically at least, among the nation’s best in fundraising efforts per capita.
Jeff Sisk, a long-time voice for Hopkinsville and Christian County athletics, has been involved with auction efforts for nearly four decades — first as an employee at the main sponsor WHOP Radio, before later joining the membership and its successful shenanigans.
It’s he who, Tuesday afternoon, regaled the War Memorial gallery with tales collected and penned by Christian County Historian William Turner and Rotary Executive Administrator Tammy Cowan.
As early as 1949, Sisk said the club had created a “Student Loan Club” — offering reprieve to those less fortunate, but seeking postsecondary education.
Audio PlayerTwo months after the fateful Atlantic City trip, Sisk said WHOP Radio made an offer no one could refuse.
Audio PlayerRunning from 8:30-10 PM, Sisk noted the first auction took place sporadically over 12 days between August 6 and August 18 — the late hours likely because of farming families and planting/harvest seasons, and the random interludes likely because of paid spots and shows from the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Those first efforts raised an unprecedented $3,618.36 — which today would equate to $36,654 — in what was then the new Farm Bureau building on West 9th Street. Through 74 auctions, Sisk said more than $11.5 million has been collected in the name of youth and community support.
And other media members have thrown their hat in the ring.
Audio PlayerOther key facts, per Sisk, Turner and Cowan:
+ 1952 was the first year the auction was held in the War Memorial building
+ There used to be a parade to kick off the Rotary Auction, especially from 1953-59
+ School Nights came along in 1954, and The Country Store opened in 1955
+ The Century Club was added in 1957
+ The first auction theme came from Turner in 1984: “On Track For Youth,” and themes — often reflecting the chair’s career and hobbies — have remained
+ The auction efforts crested $100,000 in 1987, $200,000 in 1994, $300,000 in 2007, nearly hit $400,000 in 2021, shot past $500,000 in 2022, and was up again in 2023
+ Only three women have served as auction chairs: Kelly Gates, Kiley Killebrew and Penny Chewning
+ And Scott Cowan’s auction, held at the height of COVID-19 in 2020, raised more than $250,000
Sisk’s full presentation:
Audio Player
