Rankin Inlet (Dec 17/03) - Even a tempermental Old Man Winter couldn't keep the Kataujaq Society's charity auction from being its most successful to date.

Society director Evelyn Thordarson said she was getting more than a little nervous on the morning of Dec. 6, when it seemed like the weather was refusing to co-operate.

The auction had to be postponed the week before when a blizzard moved into the Kivalliq region.

"It was a little nerve-wracking early in the day, to look outside and see it almost as bad as the weekend before," said Thordarson.

"But, the people just kept coming and, when all was said and done, we raised almost $14,000, which was about a 30 per cent increase over last year's auction."

The auction is the Kataujaq Society's main fundraiser of the year.

The organization runs both a daycare and a women's shelter in the community.

Thordarson said the auction's final tally was helped out this year by the fact all four airlines donated a pair of tickets to the event.

First time involved

"We were so pleased Calm Air decided to get involved with our auction for the first time this year.

"First Air, Canadian North and Kivalliq Air have all taken part in the past, so it was great that Calm Air decided to help out this year."

Thordarson said more people in the community are starting to understand what the Kataujaq Society is all about and how important the annual auction is to its operations.

She said the local business community continues to come through in a big way with items donated to the fundraiser.

"We came up with some innovative things to put up for auction this year, like Sanajiit Construction Ltd.'s three hour spring yard cleanup and trip to the dump.

"Come spring, that can be a big boost to someone who has a lot of stuff they'd like to get out of their yard and up to the dump."

Kerri Angidlik was the guest auctioneer for this year's event.

And, although he seemed a bit nervous at first, Thordarson said Angidlik did a fabulous job running the proceedings.

"More and more people in the community are coming forward, wanting to be involved with the auction.

"They don't want to be left out.

"It's becoming a real community event every year and that bodes well for the future of the auction."