After a full week of auctioning, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club sold its final item Saturday night, ending the 76th annual WHOP Rotary Radio Auction with a grand fundraising total of $618,428.67.
The final item was a country ham, and Auction Chair Brett Pritchett sold it to fellow Rotarian Whitney Stewart, who was then announced as the chair for the next auction.
The theme of this year’s Auction was “The Spirit of ’76,” which highlights the determination of the nation’s founding fathers in their pursuit of independence. While they weren’t fighting a war for independence, Pritchett says the people of Christian County still showed up and showed out to support local youth.
Pritchett also thanked his fellow Rotarians for bringing the auction to life.
Funds from the auction will go toward community organizations focused on supporting youth, as well as the Rotary Scholars program, which allows local students to attend Hopkinsville Community College tuition-free, and the Rotary Impact Program, which supports students pursuing high-demand career paths.
In total, 759 items were auctioned off, raising around $113,600. Then the Diner and Sweet Shop raised nearly $42,800, and the Hour and Goat Clubs raised around $462,000. Last year’s auction raised $634,383.98.