It was a tricky confluence of the modern, the old-fashioned, and the good-heartedness.  This year’s Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club Winter Auction.  Weaving a mix of virtual digitry, pavement pounding, and passion to help our community, the Auction generated almost $25k to help the Club with its causes in 2021.  

    The event was entirely online.  Each bidder was assigned an online bidding number.  Bids were posted to the computer and when higher bids came in the last bidder was informed by the computer he or she was no longer in possession of that item.  The computer.  It runs everything.  Right?  Well this one did.  And it did so superbly.  Ending with a live auction of four items, at a Zoom party, featuring Kingston auctioneer - and proud Rotarian - Clint Boxman.

    Live items included a new roof up to $7500, donated by Lambro Construction, a new wine fridge overflowing with quality wine, a kids - or adult - birthday party at North Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s headquarters station, and a wine tasting and food pairing from Kingston Ale House.

    Silent items were generously donated by community folks, businesses, and organizations.  Proper manners requires thanking them:  Cookie Creations, Westside Pizza, Kingston Food Market, 20/20 eyecare Centers, Argosy Cruises, Bloedel Reserve, Vibe Coworks, Chris and Mary Jane Gilbreath, Bobbie Moore and Walt Elliott, d/Vine Wine Bar, Emily Formula, Central Market, Nothing bundt Cakes, Dr. Rachel Strohmeyer, Jim and Rosemary Tracy, Sweet Life Cakery, White Horse Golf Club, Land Title Company, Isabel Gates, Cup and Muffin, De’ MacKinnon, Thistle Floral and Home,  Adelia Richie, Bonnie Block, Fujii Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Julia Miller, Total Wine and More, Nancy and Dan Martin, Kingston Fitness, Sail Kingston Cove, a touch of peace Message Therapy, Mak W Designs, and Columbia Bank.  Thank you all.  And, most importantly, thank you to the generous bidders.  The computer knows you by your number - bidder number 6, number 14, etc. - but you know who you are.  And we thank you.

    Proceeds from the auction will enable Kingston North Kitsap’s Rotary Club to take the lead, to marshal others, bring together like-minded parties, all in service of helping those in North Kitsap most severely affected by Covid-19.  There are other causes to tend, as well, such as scholarships and support for Boys and Girls Club, but the bulk of the effort will go to such matters as food insecurity, housing insecurity, student learning gaps, and local business insecurity.  There is great need in North Kitsap resulting from the pandemic.  Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club is here to help.

To take on many of the effects of Covid-19, funding is required.  To that end, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary invites you to the Club’s Winter Auction.  On line.  While funds raised will go to support its many initiatives throughout the year, such as scholarships, a good deal of the proceeds will help the Club to implement it’s Covid-19 Action Plan. In one twist on auction item procurement, instead of soliciting some of the auction items from local merchants, the Club will buy some of the auction items with funds raised by the auction. Successful bidders win, and a measure of business insecurity is addressed.  Here are the details on how you can participate in the auction, and support Covid-19 relief efforts right here in Kingston North Kitsap. The online auction begins Thursday, Feb 4, at 5:30 p.m.; it closes Friday, Feb 5, at 5:30 p.m. The live auction is set for Friday, Feb 5, 5:30-7:00 p.m. with Program and Raise the Paddle 7:00-7:30 p.m. For more information, and to participate, go to: charityauction.bid/kingstonrotary2021.  Mark your calendar now.  Feb 4, 5:30 p.m., and Feb 5, 5:30 p.m.

Here is a thought.  Many have recently received a $600 check from our federal government.  Could that be your seed money for the auction?  Or would you consider sending $600 to ShareNet, Fish Line, or Kitsap Homes of Compassion, and skipping the auction.  Either way, you help address needs resulting from Covid-19 impacts here in Kingston North Kitsap.  That’s a good thing.  And your local Rotarians thank you.