Another Successful Auction

written by Bill Power

It was a snowy and increasingly wet morning on December 8th and by the time Graham Owen auctioned the first lot at Ostomy Halifax’s Annual Christmas Auction it was downright wet outside. However, it was warm inside and the auction items were perfectly laid out in order on tables that ringed the Avery Room at Fairbanks Interpretive Centre in Dartmouth. Near the first auction items to be called were Kevin Arenburg and Anna Campbell (affectionately called “the Vannas”) ready to display the items as Graham called for bids from the more than 50 people that showed up to the event.

For the next two hours, over 150 lots were bid on producing, together with the 50-50 draw and donations related to the event, nearly $8,000 to help send young people to camp. Ostomy Halifax helps to send young people living with ostomies to camp in Alberta and Nova Scotia. One tangible way we enable young people to camp is by covering costs associated with transportation and camp fees. We have a very strong and rich history of supporting young people’s camp experience that has involved many committed volunteers over the years. These days Elaine Jeffery leads the organization of camp activities for our campers. We spied her bidding on items near the front of the room during the auction.

About halfway through the program for the day, Anna Campbell, one of our “Vannas” and past camper gave an inspirational account of her camping experience. Her talk touched upon the fun of the camp experience itself, how grateful she was to have attended and how going to camp impacted her personal development positively. It was a great way to warm up bidders for the second half of the afternoon.

The event was a wonderful success. This type of event does not happen without many dedicated people working together. A special thank you to the co-chairs of the organizing committee, Cathy Kilcup and Niki Power. These two women did an incredible amount of work behind the scenes and on the day. They were joined on the Christmas Auction Committee by Graham Owen, the master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the event. We are equally thankful to those who showed up despite the weather to help decorate, organize auction items, bring treats to share and so much more! Thank-you all! The auction items were next level this year and we would like to thank everyone who generously donated items and services. And we can’t forget the bidders – thank you to everyone who parted with some of the contents of their wallet to make a difference for others!

The 2024 Christmas Auction was an incredible event despite Mother Nature’s unpleasant mood...imagine what the event might be like next year if the weather cooperates!