COVID claims another community event, as Prince Rupert Rotary Cancel the 2020 Rotary Auction

Master of Puns and Mater of Ceremonies, 
Michael Gurney and the annual crew of local luminiaries
will not be hosting the Annual Rotary Auction this year,
the event has been suspended owing to COVID
(From a past CityWest Rotary Broadcast)

One of Prince Rupert's most popular community events won't take place this year, with the era of COVID once again impacting on community plans, as Prince Rupert Rotary came to the difficult decision in late September to cancel the 2020 Rotary Auction.

The three night celebration that made local celebrities out of a number of Rotarians usually see the bids coming in fast and frequent in mid October for good and services donated by local businesses.

However, as they explain in a social media post to the Prince Rupert Rotary Facebook page, the Rotarians did not feel comfortable reaching out to a struggling business community this year and with that as their guidepost announced the suspension of the tradition that spans many decades. 

As part of their update, they have urged the community rally around the local business sector this fall and shop local as much as possible.

The Rotary Auction serves as the Clubs prime fundraising event, the proceeds going towards the range of projects that they host in the community each year, so the cancellation of the annual auction may very well have an impact on their work into 2021.

Should residents wish they can donate directly to the Rotarians, they can sent the local members a message through Social media to find out how to contribute. They also have plans to continue with their 750 sales, though how that will move forward has yet to be outlined.

As well, the Organization still intends to host the annual Christmas Tree Sale at the Rotary Tennis courts at Sixth and McBride. Though it may look a little different as they look for away they sell the trees adjusting like all of us, to finding ways to adapt to COVID.

Updates on the Rotarians plans into the Fall and Winter can be followed through their Facebook page here.

More items of note on Community events can be explored through our archive here.