Brian Harris, President of the Atlantic Rotary Club, today (Friday) announced that the Annual Rotary Auction, originally scheduled for Saturday, November 21st, 2020, has been canceled for this year. According to Harris, “This decision was made at the monthly club Board of Directors meeting, amid continued uncertainty surrounding COVID – 19. We anticipate guidelines for gatherings will change often over the next several months, and the preparations and financial commitments for the auction take place for many months prior to the event. Another consideration was the fact that so many area businesses and individuals who have given generous donations in the past have been financially impacted by COVID – 19, and the club did not feel it was appropriate to ask these people for donations this year.”
Harris said also, “The health and well-being of our community is a priority for our club and we do not want to take an unnecessary risk by holding the event, nor do we want to have to limit attendance, thus reducing the effectiveness of the event as a fundraiser and celebration of our community’s giving spirit.”
Brian Harris closed with: “The Atlantic Rotary Club is grateful for the generosity the members of Atlantic and surrounding communities have shown us over the years through their time and donations to the Rotary Auction. For over 35 years, the Rotary Auction has been a signature event for our club, raising more than a million dollars that have been invested back into our local communities. Our hope is that in 2021 we will be able resume this annual event and continue to use those proceeds to support community projects in the Rotary spirit of Service.”