Record Year for Santa Store Charity Auction

Frank Preeper holds the solid mahogany Corvette model car donated by himself and Joyce Preeper of Viscount Painting and Decorations. The car was Lot No. 92 and sold for $100. More than $20,000 was raised during the auction. - Lucie Roy Photos

By Lucie Roy

Morinville – The total raised at the 14th Annual Santa Store Charity Auction was $20,003 and counting Saturday night. Linda Krauskopf, one of the directors of the Midstream Support Society, said as people were paying for their purchases some were donating additional money to the cause. Early in the payment process, they were at $20,103.00 and others were still lined up at the cashier’s table.

Held Nov. 19 at Coach’s Corner, the venue was packed by 3:30 p.m. with the viewing scheduled for 4-6 p.m. and bidding at 7 p.m. sharp. With more than 121 lots up for sale the choice was varied and sure to suit many bidders. In good fundraising humour, there was an additional donation charge of $5 for those daring to yell out YUUP, the main line heard by Dave Hestor, one of the characters of the TV show Storage Wars. The Town of Morinville Gift Basket, which was Lot No. 34 went for $75 at 7:55 p.m. and this raised the subtotal raised to $5,000. Lot No. 40, always a favourite and in its 6th year running, was a Gourmet dinner for eight prepared in your home by Executive Chef Doug Adsit. The food and wine is supplied by Lawrence and Donna Giffon of Coach’s Corner and the chef cooks it up. This Lot went for $950. Lot No. 50 was a shadow-boxed Jaromir Jagr signed hockey stick with stamp of authenticity- it went for $1050. With a few more bids and a few more lots by 8:40 p.m. the subtotal reached was $10,115. The goal was $20,000.

Linda Getzlaf
Linda Getzlaf, of Getz You Moving Re/Max Real Estate donated three designer handbags complete with matching sunglasses, keychain and a gift card with a secret amount. The purses sold for 225, $250 and $240, respectively. Frank and Joyce Preeper of Viscount Painting and Decorations donated a solid mahogany Corvette model car .The car sold for $100. This just 30 lots left, the total raised by 9:30 was $15,300..

Dan Getzlaf
Dan and Linda Getzlaf donated the rookie card of his cousin Ryan Getzlaf. The 2005 rookie card was certified in mint condition (9.5 Gem Mint). Ryan was a power-play performer with the Mighty Ducks during his rookie season in 2005-06. Against Nashville on Mar. 24, 2006 Getzlaf set a career high with four assists, as three of them came when Anaheim had a man advantage on the ice.

Donations were received from the community and local area. From hair care packages, series of black and white Ford classic prints from Jim Hill of City Ford, Oilers tickets, Putnam and Lawson Will Kit, numerous donations from the Honourable Ken Kowalski, shop vac from Remote Wireless, Curves Morinville, Tech Auto, Noah’s Ark Pet Supplies and others.

Members of the Midstream Support Society, which consisted of President Joyce Preeper, Treasurer Elsie Stang, and Directors Linda Krauskopf and Helen Hupe were busy with the administrative side of the house- providing bid sheets, lot listings and processing all necessary paperwork and payments. The Auction committee members were busy demonstrating the items for bid, matching lot numbers and ensuring the buyers received the items they paid for.

Preeper said the auction committee was formed three years ago. Before that, it was a group of volunteers who got together to raise money for the Santa Store. The group consists of Melinda Northcott with seven years of volunteering, Deb Kruger with 12 years and her husband Bob with 13 years as the “handyman,” Lisa Piche with three years on the Auction committee and eight years with the Santa Store, Tina Gourgeon with three years and her husband Peter with 13 years of volunteering, Steve Beaton on his first year and Joyce Preeper and Linda Krauskopf with at least 14 years working the auctions. Some of the volunteers have dual membership, being a member of the Midstream Support Society and on the Auction Committee. The hosts for the last two years- Lawrence and Donna Giffon were also thanked for their services as well as to the many “elves” that assisted that evening.

Accolades and applause were given to all the volunteers at the end of the evening, to those who donated and those who came out in support and those who bid on items. Tina Gougeon, a member of the Auction Committee presented auctioneer Brad Ward with a commemorative scroll from the Honourable Ken Kowalski, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA. The scroll was in congratulations and gratitude for his outstanding contributions to the Annual Morinville Santa Store Fundraiser. Also receiving a Certificate was Deb Kruger.

Tina Gougeon, a member of the auction committee presented auctioneer Brad Ward with a commemorative scroll from the Honourable Ken Kowalski, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA. The scroll was in congratulations and gratitude for his outstanding contributions to the Annual Morinville Santa Store Fundraiser.
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2 Comments

  1. Was totally amazed by the response of the people and the workers of this event. This town never lets us down you should all pat yourself on the back for having such big hearts

    AWSOME JOB GUYS

  2. A huge THANK YOU to all the donors and people who purchased at the Santa Store Auction. A hug and a special thank you to the volunteers and for their hard work on the auction committee.(especially Brad Ward) The money raised was by all of you. The Midstream Support Society is only the tool that brings the Santa Store,the Christmas Party(for less fortunate people) and toys for the Christmas Hampers together.
    Without your support we would not be able to make these all possible.
    HURRAY, and again thank you for joining us in making a small impact in the lives of less fortunate families at Christmas.

    With sincere appreciation
    Joyce Preeper

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