November 12, 2014 at 5:03 p.m.
Annual WXPR auction raises $9,000
Annual WXPR auction raises $9,000
By Kayla Thomason-
The auction, the radio station's main fundraiser, once featured only artwork but has grown over the years to include a concert and live auction. There were over 200 items - all of which were donated - bid on Saturday.
The silent auction included art depicting various scenes from fowl to canoes, ceramic vases, bowls and plates in vibrant colors, and jewelry to accent many wardrobes, among other items.
Some of the items bidders could try to win included gift certificates and artwork. The live auction included treasures such as Green Bay Packers tickets, a gift certificate for a relaxing massage and a one-year membership to the YMCA of the Northwoods.
"It's a fun day, and it's a great way to support the station and also to support a lot of those small businesses as well," said Jessie Dick, WXPR's development director.
Hors d'oeuvres, including chicken and pork quesadillas, and desserts were laid out for people to enjoy.
Down the hall in the Three Coins Restaurant Mike Mangione, singer/songwriter from Chicago, played his original music for the crowd.
Kari Zambon, who has been attending the auction for years, thought the selection was wonderful.
"(WXPR's auction is) a really neat event and it's fun because you see a lot of people you know and you get to visit," Zambon said. "The hors d'oeuvres and the wine are great, and there is amazing art here and a lot of good shopping for gifts and gifting to yourself too."
She had her eye on a pastel and some pieces of pottery in the silent auction.
Rose Prunty, a member of WXPR's board of directors and an avid listener, loved the diversity of items in the auctions from travel packages to artwork.
"The event is a key fundraiser for WXPR and WXPR is just an organization that wants to make the communities we live in a better place," Prunty said. "What's really enjoyable is people are getting together, they're talking, supporting our artists for the community."
During the live auction people kept raising their bids for the wonderful packages.
"It's a fun event, I've always wanted to come and we've always been out of town so I'm happy I got to come this year," said Georgie Southwick, a first-time attendee. "I like WXPR and I like the concept of how independent they've been and how they have so many volunteers who have worked so hard and I'm a big volunteer person so that appealed to me."
James Meiers, another first-time guest to the auction, and his wife enjoyed meeting other WXPR listeners.
"We are big WXPR fans and we want to support everything WXPR does because we think it's a great radio station for the Northwoods," Meiers said.
Approximately $9,000 was raised during the evening. That money will go into WXPR's general operating fund.
"We're always taking donations if there are artists out there or different merchants that want to donate for next year it's always open," Dick said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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