Astro Auction readies for 10th year
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The live broadcasts, originating at Caney Fork Electric Cooperative’s auditorium on New Smithville Highway, will be on Clear Channel’s WBMC, 960 AM, from 8:00 until 10:00 am each day Monday through Friday. A number of the community’s most recognized personalities, including business and political figures, will lend their voices to help sell hundreds of items to radio listeners.
Astro Auction had its beginnings in the imagination of the late M L (Sam) Scott, who, as president of the local ACS unit in 1993, conceived of a project that would combine cancer-fighting public education with fund-raising to aid the national research and prevention programs.
In its first nine years, the radio sale has generated $82,867 to support cancer research, education and patient and family services, according to Carol Locke, Warren County ACS chapter treasurer. Receipts have grown from $4,847 in the inaugural year to $13,265 last year, she wrote in a recent report.
Community volunteers from Warren and Van Buren counties bake cakes, prepare canned vegetables, create woodcraft decorations and provide a multitude of other items for the daily radio sales. Businesses and individuals also donate higher-value items for the week-long silent auction, which invites bidders to inspect the sale offerings at the Caney Fork Co-op and enter written bids; successful bidders are announced on Friday.
Radio listeners enter their bids in the daily auctions by calling ACS volunteers at 473-2008 in a telephone bank donated by Citizens Communications, Mrs Locke said.
Various interest groups will take the lead in providing sale items and other volunteer services on different days of the week. Members of area churches and community clubs will be welcomed to the spotlight Monday and Tuesday, the chapter treasurer noted.
Medical professionals and utility company personnel will headline Wednesday’s auction, while banks, real estate firms, insurance agencies and commercial nurseries will take the reins Thursday. In line with Astro Auction tradition, government representatives and political figures will take charge Friday.
Donated items may be presented in honor or in memory of a family member, friend or co-worker, organizers explained. All of the sale merchandise should be clearly marked with the name of the producer or donor and may be brought to the Caney Fork auditorium as early as 7:00 am on the day of the sale or from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
“This is community action at its best,” commented Bill Zechman, one of the ACS volunteers and radio host for Astro Auction. “Literally hundreds of people contribute their talents and resources to this event, which also relies heavily on the generosity of private businesses.
“Clear Channel radio and WBMC donate more than 10 hours of extremely valuable air time, not to mention their technical and personnel support,” he noted.
“Other businesses—Citizens Communications, The Southern Standard, Womack Printing Company, Custom Vinyl Signs, and restaurants providing breakfast for our auction workers, to name just a few—also make essential contributions to the effort.”
Anyone interested in working as volunteer or as merchandise donor may contact Mrs Locke at 473-4402.