Presque Isle Rotary Club to Host 65th Annual Radio and TV Auction

The Presque Isle Rotary Club is hosting its 65th annual Radio and TV auction to raise money for seven Aroostook county charities. The club is auctioning more than 700 items. Read more to find out how you can purchase some of the items.

Some of the charities that will benefit from this year’s auction include Friends of Aroostook, Hope and Justice Project, The Francis Malcolm Science Institute, Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, and more.

The event will be televised as well as broadcast on air. People will have the chance to call and bid for items they wish to purchase.

‘We’re so pleased with the outpouring of support we’ve received from the community for this annual event, which raises money for so many important local efforts,” said Rotary Club Co-Chair Ralph McPherson. “This is all about the community projects that we support. The organizations that have been selected this year, as we’ve seen in past year, are exceptional at what they do and they make such a big difference in the community. And as a Rotary Club, we’re only able to help them because of the support we get from the community.’

The auction will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 27, Wednesday Nov. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Northeastland Hotel.

Some of the items on this year’s list include: art work, iPads, generators, a scooter, heaters, and more. Rotary club member said the total value of the items is estimated at $50,000.

Every year the Rotary Club selects a special project to receive a large donation. This year’s special project is the Homeless Services of Aroostook. The holemess shelter will receive $25,000 to purchase new beds and footlockers. The county has only one shelter, the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter, that provides safe space to the displaced and homeless families.

‘We are very very grateful to be selected as a special project by the Presque Isle Rotary Club,’ said Stephen Eyler Shelter executive director. ‘With the money we will be able to purchase additional bunk beds - which will increase our capacity from 30 beds to 43 beds.’

The PI Rotary Club is part of an international organization dedicated to ‘Serve Above Self.’ The club has approximately 100 members, who volunteer their time to help support and better the community.