HEART AUCTION VOLUNTEERS (seated, from left) Virginia Setzer, Cornelia Reeves, Rosemond Joines; (standing) Larry and Mary Setzer, Debbie Williams and Marion Adams crowd into the WCOK studio on Feb. 21.$8,471 raised for Heart Association

Auction enjoys big opening week

The 42nd-annual Alleghany Heart Fund Auction is off to a record start in its first week, having raised almost $8,500.

Alleghany Heart Association Chapter President Cornelia Reeves said the first-Saturday total from the auction, which is broadcast live on WCOK (1060 AM) in Sparta, was a record.

"We were really concerned that things might not go as well this year because of the economic situation, but everyone has really supported the auction again this year," she noted. "You just can't say enough about the support we've received from the people of the county."

The $8,471 raised the first week is a sharp increase over recent years' totals. The 2008 auction raised $7,003 in the first week on the air, while the 2007 effort raised $6,651 and the 2006 auction's first week total was $7,401. Most of the increase this year appears to have come from memorials and challenges, rather than auction items being sold.

This year's sales of auction items raised a total of $4,820, up only slightly over last year's total sales of $4,576. The 2006 first-week auction total was $4,153. "I think that's great with the economy like it is," said Reeves. "I went home and recounted first thing and thought, ‘I've made an error somewhere,' but I hadn't. That was just amazing."

Reeves said a wormy chestnut pie safe, made by John Wayne Edwards, fetched the top price of the day, $1,000 for the third year in a row. "He has donated a pie safe for several years and it is always a hot seller," she said.

No other auction item brought more than $250, said Reeves, but there were numerous items in the $100 and $200 range.

While those numbers were definitely showing an upward trend, the real difference in this year's totals came through memorials, contributions and challenges, with a first week total of $3,651. Last year's number was $2,427 and the year prior was $2,498.

Going back to 2006, the memorial and challenge total was $3,319, closer in line with this year's amount. As for the reason for that increase, Reeves said she isn't sure. "We had an anonymous donor give $1,000 this year, but we also had that same donation last year," Reeves said. "But we did have numerous people who made large donations this year in memory of and in honor of their loved ones."

She noted that the challenges really picked up over the last hour of the auction this year. "We will carry those challenges over to the second week of the auction by announcing them again early in the day," Reeves said.

While things are off to a good start for the auction, more items are still being accepted, Reeves said. A number of the current donations are on display in the front window of Seasons Gifts and Home Decor (in the former Smithey's building) on South Main Street in Sparta. "We appreciate Nancy Roten for allowing us to use that space every year," said Reeves.

Items were still coming in on Tuesday for the last week of the auction. Those interested in making donations are encouraged to contact Virginia Setzer at 372-8495. Meanwhile, purchased items may be picked up at the Carolina Silk Shop located at 24 West Whitehead St. during regular business hours (weekdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.).

"We also appreciate any and all contributions made in any form to the auction," Setzer said.

Some of the items already slated for the auction this Saturday include a cedar blanket chest by Tom Atwood, a hand-crafted queen-sized log bed, Hoffman and Mangum pottery, "The Last Landscape" painted by Bet Mangum, golf certificates, a number of CDs and DVDs and autographed photos and several handmade birdhouses, among other items. "Sue Utt at WCOK really helped this year by going to a number of artists and requesting CDs, DVDs and numerous autographed items," said Reeves. "Those items really went well and we have a few more for this coming week's auction."

During the auction, three phone lines are utilized, two of which are normal phone lines for the radio station—372-8231 and 372-8302—and one is donated by Skyline Telephone specifically for the auction. That number is 372-8090.

Skyline Telephone donated the 8090 line for the auction, while the other two numbers are the radio stations normal phone lines.

"We're looking forward to an even bigger day on Saturday," said Setzer.

Setzer offered appreciation for those who volunteer to help answer telephones during the event. "We couldn't do it without them," she said. All auction proceeds go to benefit the American Heart Association.

 

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