Saturday, August 7, 2010

Searcy Lions Club Hosts 50th Annual Auction

Over 250 items will be auctioned off during the 50th annual Searcy Lions Club auction on August 12-14. The yearly fundraiser enables the Lions Club to help local adults and children get eye examines and glasses that they might not be able to afford on their own.

“We hope to raise $11,000 and it will be used mostly to help the blind and sight impaired,” said Dr. Clifton Ganus, a member of the Searcy Lions club for more than 50 years. “We also help in community projects such as Boy Scouts and athletics for our youths.”

The items up for bids are donated by local businesses and individuals.

“The merchants in Searcy are exceptionally generous with their donations, and the variety of their donations helps to draw interest to the auction,” Lion Cheri Yecke said. “Typical donations include gift certificates to local businesses — especially restaurants — as well as watches, premium golf balls, green fees, free memberships to local gym and a wide variety of other items.”

The auction has been one of the Lion’s Clubs biggest and most successful fundraising over the past decades. Last year, the club raised $11,000 and helped 130 people in White County pay for eye exams and glasses.

According to Lion Bob Simpson, when the first auction was held 50 years ago, it was broadcast over the radio and Lions members wrote down bids on a chalk board.

“We posted the items on 2 chalk boards, described the item on the air and sold it to the high bidder,” Simpson said. “Everything was done manually, no electronics. Now we have electronics and air conditioning.”

The use of technology has made the auction run more smoothly, but is the enthusiasm and response of the community that makes the event a success.

“The auction provides an opportunity for individuals to pick up good bargains, but at the same time help people at need in White County,” Jacob Edwards, a member of the Lions Club, said.

To bid on items in the auction, listen on the radio on 95.3 KVHU or watch on TV on TV16. The auction will be held Aug. 12-13 from 6-8:30 p.m. and on Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. until all items are sold. To see a full list of items in the auction, visit www.searcy.com/lionsclub or check out the Daily Citizen from Saturday, Aug. 7th.

1 comment:

Joy Drewery said...

I want to say a special thank you to the Lions Club. If not for them many may not see. God Bless You All. Joy Drewery Searcy, Ar