Rotary Auction is full steam ahead, with local schools and students being recognized

With night one of the 76th WHOP Rotary Radio Auction under wraps, it’s full steam ahead into night two, where Rotarians will recognize local schools and students.

Here are the numbers as of Monday night--all together, Rotarians raised $126,345.20, just shy of last year's night one total of $130,153.76. There's still plenty of days left to this Auction, and speaking with WHOP News, Auction Chair Brett Pritchett says he’s feeling good heading into Tuesday, and he’s excited to recognize the students, as that’s the real heart of the Rotary auction, and it all gets underway at 6 p.m.

The diner opens at 5 p.m. for jambalaya night, along with all the usual favorites. Pritchett says while the main show is of course the auction, he really thinks people are in for a treat during the presentations by the local schools.

All money raised goes to benefit the many programs the Rotary Club plays host to, and while the entertainment is in the auction, the real moneymaker is from the Hour Club. That donation driven effort helps pay the bulk of the Rotary Scholars program, with a focus on funding one credit hour of tuition at Hopkinsville Community College. Pritchett says that cost this year is $195, but you can donate any amount you’d wish.

The live auction will take place each night—and you can listen live on 98.7 Lite FM on WHOP—but Pritchett says they also have an auction taking place online through Bolinger Real Estate’s website. That auction will run all week, with the final bids taking place Saturday.

The Rotary Club also started the week strong with three grants awarded to community programs, including $5,000 to the Pennyroyal Arts Council, to help expand their summer workshop programs. Men2Be received $5,000 to benefit their Tools in the Toolbox initiative, which supports hands-on trade experience, financial literacy and more. And then a $2,500 grant went to the Christian County Literacy Council to support their "Rolling Reader" mobile book trailer, taking the love of reading out into the community.

Night Two gets underway at 6 p.m. tonight, and for more information, visit the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville Facebook page.