Bidding for a good cause
Charity auction raises $10,000 in Rankin Inlet

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Jun 09/99) - Take a rookie auctioneer who is low on experience and high on enthusiasm.

Throw in an impressive lineup of items up for bid, add a healthy dash of community spirit for seasoning and a pinch of good-natured competition in the name of a worthy cause.

You've just baked up the first annual Kataujaq Society Charity Auction held in Rankin Inlet this past week.

About 200 people took part at various times during the four-hour event at the Manni Ulujuk middle school gym, which produced its share of laughs and serious bidding throughout the afternoon.

Evelyn Thordarson, executive director of the Kataujaq Society, said the charity auction was very successful, adding the society is lucky it receives such great support from the people of Rankin Inlet, across the eastern Arctic and Alberta.

"We were very pleased with the turnout," said Thordarson. "We were a little worried we wouldn't have that many people because there was so much going on that day, but it was just so great to see the people start streaming in.

"It was a wonderful feeling to see so many people out and supporting us. As everyone knows, with so many government cutbacks, there's no capital funding anymore, so we have to do a lot of fund-raising."

Thordarson said the auction raised about $10,000, which will be put towards the society's day care and shelter. Some of the money will be used to replace items which have served the society for more than a decade.

"We'll finally be able to get some much needed furniture for the bedrooms at the shelter," she said. "We've had the same furniture from 85, or so, which was donated and not new to begin with.

"We're also looking forward to being able to get some new things for the day care -- books and toys, that sort of thing."

Thordarson said people who attended the auction genuinely seemed to have a good time.

She said the event had super volunteers who really made a difference.

"In this community, people really do volunteer and we always look forward to them coming out because they always make the events so much fun. Our board is fabulous for getting involved with our cause and without them we'd really be nowhere.

"The Kataujaq Society will be holding its annual community picnic this year, which we're hoping to host around the end of August. There's no charge for attending this event. Its primary focus is to thank our volunteers and all the people who help us so much through the year."