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The annual Kiwanis Auction will return to its popular in-person format this weekend for the first time since 2019.
The 43rd annual Kiwanis Auction will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ODAS Park (Roller Skating Place).
Stephanie Hunter, president of the Orillia Kiwanis Club, says the event was “hugely missed” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a very social event,” she said. “You’ll see people enjoying the time that we get to spend together, talking about items, and putting in some bids.”
Money raised from the event is used to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and District, the pediatric ward at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, the Terrific Kids program, scholarships for secondary school students, the Kiwanis Safety Village, and the Kiwanis Music Festival.
“We are very fortunate to have a lot of local businesses who donate items at no cost to us,” Hunter said. “It’s really nice when the community gets behind us in order for us to put that money back into the community.”
Typically, there is no fundraising goal for the event. However, Hunter hopes this year’s auction will top the $60,000 raised last year.
“We are hoping to do more because we are able to generate that live and in-person excitement,” she said. “This year, we also have a lot more items across the online, silent and live auction.”
She says the auction generates excitement from the time doors open at 8 a.m. for the pancake breakfast.
“It’s so much fun,” she said. “Typically, when there is an exciting live auction item like a motorcycle, guitar, or hot tub, people start buzzing about it.”
A list of items that will be available Saturday can be found here.
