The 2024 Stampede Auction of Champion Pumpkins at Black Hawk College raised $6,075 for the Kewanee Area United Way.
The Oct. 23 event at the East Campus brought out the generosity of BHC students, employees, retirees and alumni who opened up their wallets for a good cause.
East Campus alumnus Bill LeSage once again lent his auctioneering skills for the fundraiser.
Sophomore Livestock Judging Team members evaluated the pumpkins, giving all of the reasons why audience members would want to be the high bidder on each lot. Other judging team members were bid spotters.
This year’s sale included 11 lots of pumpkins and/or pumpkin-themed items.
Auction items were donated by:
BHC East Campus United Way team
BHC Equestrian Program
Blair Snyder, on behalf of East Campus student clubs and organizations
Entwined Boutique, Bishop Hill
Farmgate Market, Galva
Nature’s Creations, Kewanee
Auction attendees form syndicates to pool their funds to purchase a pumpkin lot.
The highest bid was $875 from the Black Hawk East Retirees. The team purchased one of the lots donated by Nature’s Creations. Coming in with the second highest bid was the Community Education Center. Team members spent $680 for one of the lots donated by Farmgate Market.
The other winning bidders were:
BHE Ag Business Students
BHE Alumni/WIU
Black Hawk College Judging Freshman
American Royal Champs
Jacobs Family
Blake & Wrevenna Bloomberg Family
Hoge Livestock
Dan and Deanna Hoge
Attendees enjoyed lunch provided by Dr. Blake Bloomberg and the BHC Livestock Judging Team and cupcakes provided by BHC retiree Ray Jacobs in honor of retiree Dan Hoge’s birthday.
The Kewanee Area United Way supports agencies that provide services to Henry County and Stark County residents, and the money donated stays in the community to assist as many as 16 agencies.
