Quincy chamber, rotary hold auction Saturday

Costumes encouraged at annual fund-raiser

QUINCY - Everyone in the Quincy community is able to participate in a fund-raiser for two organizations this weekend.

Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Aleeta Merred said it was her personal goal everybody in the community felt like they would be able to afford to attend a fund-raiser auction put on by the chamber and the Quincy Rotary Club.

"They would feel like they were helping. It wasn't just for the high rollers or the Quincy elite, it was for everyone," she explained. "We have things from $5 a raffle ticket all the way up to $500 if you want to bid on something, but there's a place everyone could feel like, 'Hey, I got in the action.'"

The event begins with a social hour and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Quincy Valley Community Center. A lifetime achievement award is given at 6:45 p.m., the live auction begins at 7 p.m.

The chamber and the club put on the auction to raise funds for the chamber's operating expenses and community events and various scholarships and community contributions the rotary provides, Merred said.

She estimated the auction has been going on for 15 to 20 years.

The event is normally held the second week in November, she added, but the chamber did not reserve the space for that date early enough, and ended up moving the date to Oct. 27.

Because the event is now "right on the cusp" of Halloween, the event is themed "Sleepy Hollow" and is a costume party.

"It's not mandatory, they're just suggested, but it sounds like a lot of fun ideas and just a fun party for people," she said. "It's a great night out, it's a great event, it's a great give-back. And (the costumes) are just to spice it up a little, and have people be able to let their hair down and have a little fun."

The Sunfire Grill is giving away a gift certificate for dinner for two to the winner of the best costume award. The event also includes a raffle, with a large prize to be determined.

Merred said the event aims to raise $40,000.

The event's activities have been delegated out, Merred said, pointing to the chamber's auction committee.

"It's been really nice because I know it could be a stressful situation, but everyone has pitched in and stepped up to the plate," she said. "So it should go off without a hitch."

Tickets are priced at $40.

For more information, call the chamber at 509-787-2140.