Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 07/01) - The final tally is in and the third annual Kataujaq Society Charity Auction was a rousing success.

Society president Rick Mann says this year's auction in Rankin Inlet raised more than $11,000 -- a 60 per cent hike over the previous year.

"The auction is still a building process and we continually try new things to broaden the scope of the items we auction off," says Mann.

"We learn something new every year and we'll be aiming to make next year's auction even better."

Mann says Kataujaq Society board members were more active this year in seeking item donations, and their efforts really paid off.

As for the items themselves, he says you never really know what's going to successfully auction off.

"We keep trying to make sure there's always something for everybody at our auctions. That's why we had items that went as low as $40 and items that went for $1,600."

The majority of this year's items fetched in the $100 to $200 range.

Mann says having the items in a price range most people can afford helped make this year's auction such a success.

"Bidders knew if they weren't successful in getting one item, there was always something else coming up they could afford."

Mann says the annual charity auction is the society's one big chance to affect the operational side of the safe shelter, day care and after school program.

He says the proceeds allow the society to purchase extras they wouldn't normally be able to afford.

"We're more than happy to get by, but it's nice to be able to add a few extras.

"That goes a long way in keeping the kids at the day care, the clients at the shelter and, most importantly, our staff happy.

"It's important for our staff members to see us making the effort to improve their working environment.

"We have a talented and devoted core staff and it's important for us to show them we do try and make things better."