As we head into Night Three of the 76th WHOP Rotary Radio Auction, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club is getting down to business, with high bids and items sold, the Diner hopping and phones a’ringing.
Upon the conclusion of Night Two, the club is total has raised $200,824.43 so far, which is only a difference of about $7,200 when compared to last year’s total at this same point, which was $207,985.62 in 2025. With only a small margin separating those totals, Rotarians are in high spirits heading into Night Three. With students and schools celebrated Tuesday night, Auction Chair Brett Pritchett says he’s still full of energy and excitement and he hopes everyone else is too, especially seeing the fun local students have had raising money to support the cause.
Rotary has been handing out donations during the auction, including two last night in the amount of $10,000 going to University Heights Academy, to assist in purchasing stage-quality mircophones and sound equipment for their music and drama classes. Then, Heritage Christian Academy received $10,000 to purchase Chromebooks and a mobile Chromebook cart.
Kelly Gates, one time auction chair and still vital organizer, says none of the grants they give out during this week would be possible without the ever-generous spirit of this community.
All together, the local schools raised $40,780.41 to benefit the Rotary Auction, and through them, students looking to pursue higher education.
There’s an auction also taking place online through Bolinger Real Estate’s website, but Prichett welcomes one and all to the excitement of the live auction at the War Memorial Building. He says it’s really something to witness, and it’s a chance to bid on some experiences and items that you might not normally get the chance to.
All money raised during this event, which will go until all items are sold Saturday night, goes to support the Rotary Scholars program, community outreach programs, grants, the Rotary Impact Program, youth support programs and so much more that the Rotary Club takes part in.
If you see an item you want during the live auction, you’ll place your bid by calling 270-885-7500. And you can listen to everything live on WHOP, 98.7 Lite FM, or watch it livestreamed on the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville Facebook page and website, which is also where you can find the menu for the diner.
The diner will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and for dinner each night from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
