Kiwanis to host annual auction Monday

Published 9:46 am Friday, May 31, 2019

The Winchester Kiwanis Club’s annual auction to benefit the children of Clark County runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday at Bargains on Broadway.

Kiwanian Kirby Roberts said things are going to be different this year because of several factors out of the club’s control.

Kiwanis partnered with Bargains on Broadway to host the live and in-person auction, which is different from its traditional call-in bids.

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“Bargains on Broadway is donating time and energy and a pallet of goods,” Roberts said. “They’ve been very nice about sponsoring this.”

Every bidder will receive a number once they arrive.

“We hope to have more than 200 people there,” Roberts said.

Interested bidders can keep tabs on available items by following Winchester Kiwanis on Facebook. Roberts said people could expect tools, jewelry, gift certificates, guns and more available for bids.

Roberts said Kiwanis also plans to host another auction in the fall which will include higher-priced items such as a rental condo on a beach.

Several businesses and individuals in the community donated items, which Kiwanis will mark on the items and will display on banners at the auction.

Roberts said Winchester Kiwanis is on the verge of its 100th anniversary, coming up in 2020.

“We’re one of the oldest active nonprofit clubs in the county,” he said.

Roberts said he believes the chapter started doing benefit auctions in its early days and hasn’t stopped.

When Roberts joined Kiwanis in 1986, the chapter had been hosting the sales for a long time and continues to do so.

“They used to sell stuff out of an old wagon,” Roberts said. “That’s how they got it started.”

Kiwanis also hosts pancake breakfasts and a “Jail and Bail” to raise additional funds throughout the year.

All proceeds benefit Clark County children through Kiwanis programs such as its annual Walk with a Child.

“That’s why we’re doing it, just for the kids,” Roberts said.

Last year, Kiwanis helped about 150 children, for a total of $12,000, during the Walk with a Child at Walmart. Students could pick out clothes, shoes and other necessities, which Kiwanis pays for with its proceeds.

Remaining proceeds go toward various Kiwanis-sponsored scholarships.

“We just do it to help the community,” Roberts said.

About Lashana Harney

Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.

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