By Fred Henricks

Success was spelled “Service Above Self” for both the Bucyrus Rotary Club and the three agency partners for the 30th Anniversary Auctionfest held April 11.

Chairman Terry Gernert reports, “The net income this year was $40,763.07, which includes $ 14,000 to remain with the Club for other projects and the balance to be divided between this year’s partners.”

The Crawford County Council on Aging will be receiving $5,196.83, the Crawford County Arts Council $8,856.81, and the Bucyrus Tourism Bureau is receiving S12,709.43. Thanks and congratulations are due to these Partners and the entire Crawford County Community. The donations received and the buyers who understand “Benefit Auction” are what make this such a great success. Net Auctionfest profits since 2002 now total $438,435.97.

When asked about the Auction success, Virginia Hammontree, Co-Chair who does most of the people and item tracking shared, “This was our first year with multiple partners. We had to be sure we passed the Four Way Test when the income was to be divided. The division had to meet ‘is it fair to all concerned.’ We had to have a plan so we tracked every meeting, volunteer, ticket sold, and item donated by each group. All three groups did everything they were asked, had volunteers when needed, and sold more tickets than we were requiring of them. It came down to the sale so every item sold was tracked by both the group that obtained the item and the group than sold the ticket to the successful bidder. I’m satisfied we had a fair plan.”

Gernert said, “In order for the auction to be successful and continue from year to year, it has to be fun for people to attend.”

Consequently, effort is made every year to make Auctionfest a fun fundraiser. From selling three months free snow removal (June, July and August), a man’s brief case (briefs with a handle), beautiful jewelry pieces, a home on the beach or condo in the mountains, and of course great D. Picking Company copper pieces, and everything in between, to providing live entertainment, and great food, we do our best to have an event folks want to attend this year and come back to in the future.

Gernert concluded, “With the 30th Anniversary Auction behind us, we will be looking for our next partner(s) in early August. Talk to any Rotarian or contact us through Facebook at Bucyrus Rotary Club for an application or more information. We’ve aleady got some items for next year so we need a partner to work with.”