HOPKINSVILLE, KY – The 75th Annual Rotary Auction begins in Hopkinsville with the theme of Financing our Future. The extensive auction begins Monday night and runs through April 26.
In 2024, the auction sold over 700 items and raised a whopping $560,074.48. Ten grants were also distributed to local organisations.
They continue to raise the bar each year, raising $520,000 in 2023. According to Hopkinsville Rotary, this annual auction has become Rotary International’s largest single fundraiser.
This year’s auction features hundreds of local items, including Hampton Meats products, bourbon, woodworking items, and gift certificates for a variety of services and products such as food, massages, and photography sessions.
A golf cart, an exclusive experience at Casey Jones distillery, UK basketball tickets, diamond earrings, a five-night stay in Belize, and other items are up for bid in the Big Board online auction.
The proceeds from this year’s auction will benefit the Rotary Scholars programme, which provides free tuition to local students at Hopkinsville Community College.
Money raised also goes to the Hopkinsville Rotary Foundation, which awards grants to various youth-based organisations, as well as the Rotary Impact programme, which covers four years of college costs for students who agree to work locally after graduation.
According to the Rotary website, the fund has provided over $11 million to area students to further their post-high school education over the last 75 years.
Since 2012, the Rotary Scholars Programme has helped over 1,500 students attend Hopkinsville Community College for free.
Every night, the War Memorial Building will host in-person viewing and bidding. Throughout the auction, food will be served in addition to their sweet shop.
Doors open tonight at 5 p.m., and the live auction begins at 6 p.m. The Hopkinsville Rotary website features a live stream of the auction as well as information on how to bid virtually.
