The Spruce Grove Rotary Club plans to continue helping local businesses connect with customers while raising some much-needed capital to support ongoing social programs and continue to build community amenities. From November 4 to November 19, 2022, the club will host a virtual silent auction featuring items and experiences sourced from local businesses. On the evening the auction closes, bidders can experience a bit of that auction sale frenzy feeling by joining in on their virtual wrap-up event on Zoom.
Virtual auctions have become more common for groups looking to raise funds while everyone is still behaving cautiously as our province emerges from pandemic restrictions. Gerry Lawrence, the event’s chairperson, says that this virtual auction has a special focus that makes it unique. “We are encouraging businesses in Spruce Grove to donate an item or experience that will gain them a repeat customer. If you’re a pizza shop, maybe you donate a free pizza a month for six months. If you’re a hair salon, maybe it’s five free haircuts. As the winning bidder from our auction comes back to the business several times over the next few months, we hope they develop a positive relationship that lasts for years,” says Lawrence. “Plus, both the bidder and the donating business know they’re helping build our community. It’s a win-win-win.”
In the aftermath of the global pandemic, economic conditions have hit businesses and families hard. The Spruce Grove Rotary Club, which supports local social programs and enhances public amenities in our city, has innovated its fundraising approach to continue meeting urgent needs in the community. The club has focused on food security, shelter, supporting new and expecting parents, and assisting children, senior citizens and the disabled to obtain the necessities of life as the local economy reels from the effects of the pandemic and other factors.
“Those funds for our programs and projects come largely from the generosity of businesses and individuals who see the good work our Rotary Club does. We know those donors are experiencing tight financial situations right now, but the needs have not gone away. Our club is still working hard to meet them. We knew that we had to come up with a way to fundraise that also continues to strengthen businesses in our community. Think of a donation to our virtual auction as really targeted local advertising, not just a donation,” says Lawrence.
The club is using an online auction platform that lets people bid from their phones, tablets, and computers during the time the auction is open in November. Right now, Lawrence says that club members are looking for more donor businesses to help finish putting the list of items and experiences together. “On November 4 at 9 AM, you’ll be able to go to our website and start bidding. We plan to have a great lineup of items to bid on when the auction opens and even add more items to the catalog right up until the 19th, but our followers on social media will get sneak peeks of auction items before then.” Lawrence says that businesses around Spruce Grove will also be displaying posters featuring the items they have donated, and interested bidders can simply scan a QR code on the poster with their phone to bid.
On Saturday, November 19, the night the virtual auction ends, the club is hosting a virtual wrap-up event on Zoom. People interested in attending can visit the auction page on the club’s website for more details at https://sprucegroverotary.org/page/auction.
The Rotary Club of Spruce Grove has been serving our community since 1993. Its members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. To learn more about the auction or the causes the club supports, visit www.sprucegroverotary.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @SGRotaryClub.