After raising over $523,000 at their 73rd annual auction earlier this year, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club has unveiled the theme “Purposeful Pathways” for their upcoming 74th annual WHOP Rotary Radio Auction at their meeting on Tuesday.
Rotarian and upcoming auction chair, Kelly Gates shared how the funds raised by the auction will benefit the community, introduced the auction theme and shared its significance.
In regards to a fundraising goal, Gates says she does not have one since she knows the amount she pins as a goal will be surpassed. Instead of focusing on a numerical goal, Gates says she wants Rotarians to focus on their responsibility with the funds they raise and to the community as a whole.
Along with sharing what is to come, Gates reflected on the past. She shared that the auction started around 1951 when the Rotary Club received a goat and auctioned it off, and the buyer donated it back and the goat was auctioned off again.
Since the auction’s inception Gates says it has evolved to support students on their career pathways.
The annual Rotary Auction will kick off on April 22 and will run through April 27. More information about the auction can be found at hopkinsvillerotary.com.
Along with the auction there are other ways funds can be raised. On Saturday for anyone who goes to the Local in Hopkinsville between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. 10% of the proceeds from that period will go toward the auction. On November 28th for anyone who uses the promotional code “ROTARYHOPVILLE” when ordering from Papa Johns online 20% of their purchase will be donated to the Rotary Club.