Vernon Dream Auction raises thousands for charity

VERNON – The 465 attendees of Kalamalka Rotary Club’s 34th Annual Dream Auction in Vernon on Saturday, Nov. 17, lived up to the service club’s theme for this year, ”Be the Inspiration.”

At evening’s end the generosity of donors and those attending raised $286 thousand dollars, which funds the club’s charitable and community projects next year in the Greater Vernon area, throughout B.C. and Canada, as well as worldwide.

Some 337 items donated by individuals, businesses and organizations in the Okanagan Valley and beyond were offered in live and silent auctions throughout the evening, according to a Kal Rotary spokesperson. Items ranged from elaborate dinners and winey events to helicopter tours and vacations.

However, the highlight of the night was a trip for eight people aboard a private jet, with $10,000 cash in spending money donated by Kal Tire and Bannister Automotive Group. Members of Ashley Furniture Homestore posted a winning bid of $29,000 and will decide between trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Napa Valley and Brandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.

During its 34 years of Dream Auction events, Kal Rotary has raised nearly $4 Million dollars to benefit those it serves locally, nationally and internationally. Don and Brody Raffan of Valley Auction, Ltd served as live auctioneers, a service they have donated the entire 34 years of Dream Auctions.

—This story was updated at 2:48 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. An earlier version had an incorrect number for the winning bid of the private jet.

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