WESTFIELD-With close to 360 items up for bid on March 1, members of the Kiwanis Club of Westfield are hopeful they can surpass the $50,000 they raised last year during its 50th year celebration.
“We raised approximately $50,000 gross on just over 330 items last year,” said Frank Sposito, Kiwanis president. “Our goal is to raise as much as last year, if not more.”
Westfield Kiwanians Matt Dellea, left, and Alex Khatchadourian, sort donated merchandise during the 2019 Kiwanis TV Auction. (Westfield Kiwanis photo)
The Westfield Kiwanis TV Auction will be broadcast from 12 – 8 p.m. on Comcast Channel 15 in Westfield and Southwick. Also, the auction can be followed at www.westfieldkiwanis.org/auction.
Area residents interested in receiving a “personal speed bid number” are asked to send their name, address, and phone number to [email protected]. Bids can be placed by calling (413) 572-8000 on auction day.
Sposito explained that the annual auction, now in its 51st year, is the club’s largest fundraiser and signature project each year. Donated items from area businesses and individuals include restaurant gift cards, salon services, unique handcrafted pieces, art, photography, professional services, and collectibles.
“We also have two tickets to a Red Sox and Yankees game, a four-night stay at the Hilton Ocean Plaza in Miami, Fla., and an Ingersoll Rand portable air compressor,” said Sposito.
Auctioneers volunteering their time for the event include Adam Wright, George Delisle and Brad Cassin. In addition, Amanda Brodkin is serving as this year’s auction chair, and Circle K students from Westfield State University are helping to answer phones during the auction.
Westfield Kiwanis Club member Anne Benoit arranges donated items in the Treasure Chest from last year’s Kiwanis Club TV Auction. This year’s auction is slated March 1. (Westfield Kiwanis Photo)
“The Westfield State University Communication Department produces the live TV and the Computer Sciences Department upgraded the software this year and will be on-site throughout the day monitoring the software,” said Sposito.
When the auction gets underway, 30 regular blocks will be featured, along with two big blocks, and the “super block” – each with 10 items. Big blocks A and B and blocks 1 – 30 do not have a minimum bid, however, bids must be in whole dollar increments. The super block minimum bid starts at one-third of the donated item’s value, then bids are made in $5 increments, according to Sposito.
“We use the proceeds to support several programs for the children in our community,” said Sposito, adding that the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield and Westfield Little League, both founded by Kiwanis, continue to receive support from the club yearly.
The club has served Westfield, Southwick and the Hilltowns since its founding in 1922, focusing on identifying and filling the needs of local children and young adults.
Sposito noted that the club also offers grants to other groups and encourages area residents to visit westfieldkiwanis.org, click on the grants tab, and complete an application.
The 2020 Kiwanis Auction items will be listed in a special pull-out section of the Feb. 27 Pennysaver.
