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By Pete McIntyre
35th annual

$340,000 raised for Dream Auction and Showcase Charity

Nov 17, 2019 | 3:49 PM

The Kalamalka Rotary Dream Auction celebrated a milestone anniversary in record-setting fashion.

“One of the premiere social events in Vernon, the Kalamalka Rotary Dream Auction, celebrated its 35th anniversary on Saturday evening at the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Center. The evening was an outstanding success, and record setter, raising close to $340,000 for the Dream Auction and the Showcase Charity, which featured the Starfish Backpack Program,” said a news release from the club.

“The money raised at the Dream Auction enables Kalamalka Rotary to support dozens of worthy community and international projects each year,” said Dr. Carmen Larsen, Kalamalka Rotary president. “Over these 35 years, Kal Rotary has donated a cumulative total of over $4.4 million dollars to local and international non-profit organizations.”

The Starfish Backpack Program, started in 2016 by Kal Rotary, currently provides over 100 students in need a backpack of weekend food throughout the school year.

Mme. Baturin with La Chorale de Beairsto (Amie Roussel of Carousel Studios)
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The Showcase auction was introduced by 65 students from La Chorale de Beairsto, led by Mme. Anita Baturin, who sang We Are the World to the guests. The guests raised $64,250 for the Starfish Program, equivalent to 111 backpacks, which will be put in an endowment fund to provide long term program funding.

The Raffan family was recognized for their 35 years of loyal service to the Kal Rotary Dream Auction, with Don Raffan and his son Brody providing their first-class auctioneering talent throughout the live and Showcase auctions.

Brody and Don Raffan: auctioneers in action (Amie Roussel of Carousel Studios)

“This event is only possible with the generous contributions from Greater Vernon businesses, and others farther afield, who demonstrate their support year after year,” stated Brian Reid, Dream Auction Chair. “We also want to thank our guests who bid on these items the night of the auction and help us raise these funds.”

Community groups can begin applying for grants from now until the end of December 2019. Full details are available at www.kalrotary.org under the funding tab.

by Pete McIntyre
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