Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 03/01) - 'Tis the auction season. The time to look for a bargain or special memento while helping out a worthwhile cause is almost upon the folks of Rankin Inlet again.

The third annual Kataujaq Society Charity Auction will be held Oct. 13 at the Leo Ussak school gym at 1 p.m.

Executive director Evelyn Thordarson said the auction is the society's main fund-raiser of the year.

Money raised from the event goes toward extracurricular items for the safe shelter and the day-care centre.

"We get some funding for the day care from the Department of Education and we receive our full funding for the safe shelter through the Department of Health and Social Services," said Thordarson.

"But, there's no capital money out there right now for day cares or safe shelters.

"So if there's anything extracurricular we need to buy or build, we have to fund-raise."

Last year's auction raised close to $10,000.

"We were able to outfit the bedrooms at the safe shelter with new furniture, while the day care portion went towards our fire escape, which went over budget," Thordarson explained.

"Then there's books, games and toys for the day care. The more funds you have, the more you can do for the kids."

Rankin's corporate community has risen to the challenge of supporting the Kataujaq Society's auction since it began in 1999.

"So many in Rankin have been so generous in helping our society for the past few years," Thordarson said.

"The Evaz Group, in particular, has always been a big supporter and furnished us with some great packages."

With a friend of the society's already giving a week at their home in the Bahamas to be auctioned, next month's event is off to a great start. Thordarson says it could be the society's biggest yet.

"Other items already confirmed are antique quilts, autographed hockey sticks from the Tootoo boys (Jordin and Terence), a week in the Bahamas, framed prints, etcetera," she said.

"It's going to be an exciting afternoon."