OLDS — The 54th annual Kiwanis Auction overcame numerous hurdles to reach a major milestone despite the pandemic.
The fundraiser, whose proceeds support a wide variety of community programs, projects and initiatives, brought in more than $27,000 — a whopping $11,000 more than last year’s roughly $16,000 total, and a substantial amount more than the previous record of a little more than $20,000, said Murray Elliott, Olds Kiwanis Club president.
That total, Elliott explained, included a mix of cash donations as well as auction sales.
Adapting to the enhanced status measures recently announced by the provincial government required a collaborative outside of the box approach. At first, organizers even thought they might have little choice but to pull the plug, he said.
“We went from cancelling the former format to reinstating the event,” he said, adding plans had to be completely revised.
“The Kiwanians worked tirelessly to make this happen — it was a lot of work.”
While the Olds Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 had previously hosted the live event, this year’s fundraiser for the first time ever went virtual courtesy of the Olds Auction Mart, he said, adding successful bidders were later able to pick up their items at the legion, where guidelines were carefully observed.
“It was actually refreshing when people came in, they were abiding by protocol and keeping social distancing,” he said.
“It worked remarkably well.”
People had an opportunity between Dec. 1 and Dec. 3 to peruse online about 170 products donated almost exclusively from local businesses, and then came out to the legion’s hall the following day to pay for as well as pick up their items, he said.
“The legion were incredibly helpful as well — we couldn’t have done it without them,” he said, also praising the critical role played by the Olds Auction Mart, which has been a partner in the fundraiser for 54 years, in helping deliver the event.
“The fellows at the auction mart donated not only all their services, but they donated a lot of time,” he said.
“They have a slick online system, which they’ve been forced to use, of course. It definitely contributed to the record breaking event.”
Elliott also expressed gratitude to all of the people and businesses who contributed both products and cash donations to make the fundraiser the most successful to date despite the difficult circumstances.
“Considering how business is struggling in general, people really stepped up,” he said.
“We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Also contributing to the event’s success was the increased reach made possible by the online auction, he said.
“Because of the format of the online auction, and the far reach that the auction market has, we had people from outside this area bidding on product, that we would not normally have,” he said, adding that “certainly didn’t hurt” with setting the record.
Among the highlights of the big ticket items sold was a Johnny Gaudreau signed Flames jersey that went for $500, he said.
While the Kiwanis contribute to too many programs to compile in a brief list, Elliott, who has been involved with the club for about five years and is serving his second term as president, said among the major initiatives supported are the Olds and District Kiwanis Music Festival, the local performing arts society, Breakfast for Learners, Christmas Angels, Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society, as well as an ongoing effort to build and refurbish playgrounds.
“There’s a lot that we contribute to. If it’s a local community project and it’s worthy, we try to be there. So, everything goes back.”
