The 72nd Hopkinsville Rotary Auction found a new gear Tuesday afternoon when auction chair Andrew Wilson and surrounding dignitaries unveiled several small, but critical, details that could lead to the week’s resounding success.
At the forefront of discussions is that solicitation packets have gone out to members — meaning local and regional businesses are about to start receiving phone calls about auction items, if they haven’t already.
Wilson said “big board” items like packages for St. Louis baseball or Kentucky football are always popular, but annual breakfast at Roundies, as well as orthodontic treatments and hearing aides, also fetch good prices.
Smaller items, and in-kind donations, Wilson added, are also welcome.
Rotary Past-President Scott Cowan notes that Hopkinsville and Christian County is full of “new business,” who might very well be interested in the Rotary mission of youth education and elder support. Set for April 18-23, Cowan added that getting items in and on time for the auction isn’t just important for the auction, but for the donating businesses as well, as they are hoping for strong promotion of their brands while supporting local causes.
Also of the utmost importance, Sergeant-At-Arms Brandon Killebrew said it was critical for Rotary members, and even businesses, to properly describe auction items — so they can be aptly described to the public.
Cowan said last year’s auction, which raised nearly $400,000, had several key donations — including two large financial endorsements of the club’s mission.
Naturally, that kind of solicitation would be appreciated once more.
Rotary President Cody Noffsinger noted that the main emphasis of the auction remains to be the Rotary Scholars program, which assists all Christian County students with two years of community college funding before they take a large step into a bigger world.
Other auction notes:
— Roast & Toast will be October 22, and tickets will be sold during the auction.
— The Hopkinsville Rotary Auction Raffle will be a “Split The Pot,” and ticket prices are changing: $5 for one ticket, $10 for three and $20 for 10. Noffsinger said this will drive the pot up considerably, and make it more enticing.
— Per Cody Willis and Jim Dulin, the Rotary Diner will serve four lunches, a dinner Monday through Saturday, and a ribeye sandwich will be available that final Saturday night. Hamburger prices will slightly be increased, but they’ll also be larger burgers.
— The Rotary Auction Golf Scramble is looking for teams. It’ll start at 8 AM Good Friday, with a shotgun start.
