Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (June 06/03) - Bent on either getting a good bargain or contributing to a worthwhile cause, hundreds of Inuvik residents were glued to the TV on Sunday, with their finger on the redial button, bidding in the fifth annual Lions Club TV Auction.

A vast and varied array of items were donated from local businesses and residents to help out the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Inuvik Chapter of Ride for Sight, who split the proceeds.

While the final tally of money raised isn't quite in yet, Vicki Boudreau of the Inuvik Lions Club said they raised about $11,000 for the two groups.

"It was pretty good, but not as good as last year," Boudreau said. "There was less money in people's pockets this year and when they have more money, they bid prices up a bit.

"Everyone had a good time and some people got some good bargains."

She said the auction is really a testament to the outstanding corporate citizens of Inuvik who are being inundated with requests for donations lately.

"It's always amazing to me to see how generous local businesses are," Boudreau said. "Things have been economically slower this year and their support is very much appreciated."

The Lions have had long relationship in funding the battle against blindness since it's early inception Boudreau said, with Helen Keller speaking.

"Helen Keller spoke at one of the very first conventions of the Lions Club and she asked them to be the Knights of the Blind, to go out and raise funds for the blind," she said.

The Lions also are working with another organization called Sight First that is working with Third World countries to help in initiatives to fight River Blindness and vitamin A programs for schools.

"The aim is to stop preventable blindness in its tracks," Boudreau said.

Christina Vernon, regional director for the CNIB, said events like the TV auction fund much of the research that goes on at the CNIB.

"These events are incredibly important," Vernon said. "We get funding from the government, but we have to raise funds to cover the rest of our expenses that allows us to do the work we do."

She's been very impressed with the generosity of Inuvikites for this and other initiatives.

"Considering the population here in Inuvik, I find it to be an incredibly generous community," she said. "The Inuvik Lions amaze me every time I come here."

"This is a wonderful event, but I know they are busy doing so many other things in the community," she said.

"I feel blessed that they take the time they do to also to an event for the blind and the visually- impaired Northerners."