Because of the extraordinary generosity of our neighbors in the Boothbay region who donated a record number of items this year and the hundreds of patrons who filled the Boothbay Common on Aug. 1, the Boothbay Harbor Rotary’s 58th annual auction and sale was another great success. And it’s not officially over yet.

During the auction, some of the volunteers were looking through donated items and discovered two Steuben Glass candlesticks worth an estimated $1,500, and a 1900s vintage presidential campaign button worth approximately $500.

These items were taken out of the Auction Day events and are being sold separately. With the proceeds from these items added in, the Rotary Club expects to gross over $53,000, an increase from last year of almost 25 percent. After expenses, the Rotary Club hopes to provide approximately $45,000 for programs important to our communities. Some of these programs include: the Heating Oil Assistance Fund, the Student Aid Fund, the Food Pantry and Rebuilding Together, to name just a few. (The Rotary supports over a dozen local nonprofits.)

An event of this size takes many hands, and we are particularly grateful to those individuals outside of the Rotary Club who donated time and vehicles to haul and lug furniture and boxes, sort and price items, set up fencing, help in the tents and clean up afterwards. In total over 75 people participated in putting on the event. Many of these helpers came from other local organizations, for which we are grateful. In particular, we want to acknowledge the students who participated this year, both from the GAP Program headed by Ingrid Merrill at the Boothbay Region High School, and from the Interact Program at the Boothbay Region High School, led by Debbie Graves.

In addition, many local businesses provided services that make the event possible, economical, and fun. In particular, Oak Street Provisions donated cold drinks for the volunteers, while Mill Cove Lobster supplied the ice. Martin Page supplied the Porta Pottys. G&G Towing donated the flatbed truck used to move so many large items. The East Boothbay Methodist Church provided the food service. Giles Rubbish handled the trash removal, Habitat for Humanity recycled the leftover furniture, while Bighearted Books hauled away thousands of books to be donated around the world. The Boothbay Fire Department handled the banner placement, and the Boothbay Register provided space for articles and promotion. The Boothbay Region YMCA provided a Shuttle Service to facilitate remote parking for volunteers. Finally, Robert L. Foster Auctions donated Bob Foster’s services as auctioneer for the 23rd year.

A very special thank you to Tom Ellis Development for allowing the Rotary Club to store all the donated items in the old laundromat space at the Meadow Mall for an entire year without charge.

Then there are the more than 75 local merchants, innkeepers, restaurants, professionals and artists who provided wonderful items for the silent auction.

Finally, it seems inadequate to simply say “thank you” for the efforts that so many of our non-Rotarian friends and neighbors put into the event. For that we Rotarians are most grateful.

If you believe in what we, as a civic organization are doing, why not join and become a Rotarian? There are over 25,000 Clubs world-wide. Each contributes, in its own way, to international and local programs that benefit others, build friendships, and develop community spirit.