Rotary Auction chairman: ‘We beat last year’

At the Rotary Auction, James Wakulsky considers bidding on some dinosaur toys at the kids table. Behind him Braden Willis looks at a rabbit up for silent auction. Jenny Walling / LTN Photo

The Rotary Auction has wound down, but donations continue to pour in.
It may be a matter of weeks before Rotarians have an exact number on the amount raised during their three night auction.
“We beat last year, but I don’t know by how much,” said Dean Lutz, Rotary Auction chairman.
Rotarians raised over $9,000 more than last year on auction items. They have also received over $40,000 in cash donations.
“Our goal is to always increase from last year,” said Gaye Howard, administrator of the Lincoln County Rotary Fund.
“We had more items to auction this year. We just pushed really hard because we know that the need is out there in the county.”
All the money raised at the auction goes to low interest student loans for Lincoln County residents.
The loans benefit students going to four-year colleges and technical schools. They are also available for displaced workers going back to school.
“The Rotarians are dedicated folks,” said Lutz. “They have no agenda other than helping the community.”
This year marked the 11th Rotary Auction, and it boasted several new items, including a silent auction table devoted completely to baked goods.
Several unusual items went up for bid during the auction, many of them raising large amounts of money. One doctor even donated a vasectomy.
“That happens to be his field, and he wanted to help,” said Lutz.
Another high priced auction item was orthodontic work, which included everything from the initial visit to the final check ups after the braces come off.
Those who bought items from the auction picked them up on Sunday. Of the 700 items auctioned off, fewer than 10 were not claimed.
The mood at the James W. Warren Citizens Center the day after the auction was decidedly upbeat.
“They’re happy,” said Lutz of the customers. “They know that they’re helping a good cause.”
Many participants said they were already looking forward to next year.
One woman told Lutz that she gets together with her friends to have a party and watch the auction every year.
Plans for the 12th annual auction are already underway.
Rotarian Stan Goodson has been named the new Rotary Auction chairman.
Lutz, who feels satisfied with this year’s auction, doesn’t mind passing on the responsibility.
“In one way, I’m very glad it’s over, but I enjoyed getting out there and meeting people,” said Lutz.by Sarah Grano