Gbcla_auction

Jeff Green | Aug 07, 2008

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The goal of the event was to raise funds for the purchase of an emergency fireboat.

Over 200 tickets were sold for the event, which offered participants a deli-style buffet, and most importantly, a bidding ticket for the silent and live auction which was the major focus of the event.

Inside the arena, colour-coded tables were laden with 181 donated items from individuals and businesses in the community and included handmade crafts, large gift baskets, various hand tools, framed prints, fishing rods, and smaller kitchen appliances.

The highlight of the evening was the live auction put on by renowned auctioneer Dave Smith of Ottawa, who has received many awards for his work including The Order of Canada. He has raised over $100 million as an auctioneer for various foundations and charities throughout Canada.

Some of the items up for the live auction included a hand-made, full-sized bed quilt, made and donated by award-winning quilter Mary Ann McAndrews of Crow Lake.

The winning bid on the quilt was made by Eleni Kalaganis, who said, “I can picture it on my wall at home in Montreal.”

Pat Jamieson, who cottages on Bobs Lake, put in the winning bid on a pair of Blue Jays tickets that she plans to “give to her hubby Pat as a gift”.

Ron and Susan Wulf of Bedford patiently waited out the evening and came away with the last item auctioned off, two Ottawa Senators tickets.

The evening was a lively event and an overwhelming success. Co-chair of the event, Susan O’Brien MacTaggart was thrilled and expressed her delight. “I think that the turnout this evening shows the tremendous commitment of the people of Bedford District who care so much about the lakes.”

By the end of the evening, approximately $10,000 was raised. Co-chair MacTaggart doesn’t see it stopping here. She added with confidence, “There is definitely more to come in the future.”