There was a time when the YMCA of Kewanee held its year-end charity auction by broadcasting it over the local cable channel. The much-anticipated event began by beaming into resident’s living rooms from the YMCA facility, until moving operations over to city hall.
“There were bidding wars,” said Mary Findley, membership director for the YMCA of Kewanee.
Some years, the auction lasted into the early hours of the morning. Volunteer auctioneers, usually board members, presented the items for bids and people would use their phone to call in. Five people worked the phones at the other end, while two people phoned bidders back to inform them that they had won. More volunteers ran the pickup and delivery side of the operation. And for almost 20 years, that’s how the auction was held.
But then the pandemic hit and for one year, the event went to Facebook, but Findley said it wasn’t an ideal situation as people’s bids got lost in the shuffle. The next year, the auction went online and it’s working out great, she said.
The auction is now in its 24th year and the donated items are beginning to stack up the Kewanee facility. There are gift baskets, gift cards, a snowman tower filled with dog treats, a garage door opener from Sullivan Door Co., a 5’ wreath from Dew Fresh Market, and an entire bedroom set, decked out in bling, from Good’s Furniture.
“There’s a few things I have my eye on,” said Jason Thieme, branch executive for the Kewanee facility since Jan. 2 of this year.
This is Thieme’s first experience with the popular auction, and the funds raised, he said, goes to important programs, as well as ensuring that residents without the ability to pay can obtain YMCA memberships.
“It really gives us an opportunity to provide services for people,” said Thieme.
The online auction will be conducted by Stenzel Auction in Cambridge, and for this event, they are providing their services for free. Bids will be accepted beginning Nov. 30. Bidding will close on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4 pm.
The items up for auction will be showcased at the YMCA, so potential bidders are welcome to come to the lobby and get a look at the goods until the auction’s conclusion on Dec. 10.
Winning bidders will need to pick up and pay for their items during business hours beginning Dec. 12 at the YMCA of Kewanee, located at 315 W. 1st St. During the auction, bidders can set up notifications in case someone outbids them.
So far, the organizers of the auction have collected almost 70 items, but Findley said she believes that there will be at least 100 items to bid on.
For those wanting more information about how to donate an item, email mfindley@ymcatr.org or phone (309) 506-2193.
The auction website can be found here.
