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October 21, 2009

Rotary to donate auction proceeds to fight polio

Natalie Davis

The first Thursday in November, several specialty items will go to the highest bidder all to support local causes as well as the worldwide fight to end polio.

Milledgeville Rotary is gearing for its biggest fundraiser of the year, set for Thursday, Nov. 5, at Milledgeville Country Club.

Proceeds from the annual benefit go to support local nonprofits and food banks as well as literacy and educational programs.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” said Milledgeville Rotary special projects chair Renee Fontenot. “The proceeds that we raise that night will go to things like our [Rotary International] polio fund, and at the local level one of our primary goals is education.”

Each year, the local Rotary club sponsors a scholarship for a deserving senior at each of the area's high schools, the annual Rotary speech contest, as well as a dictionary program, which awards a dictionary to every fifth-grader in the county. The club also participates in the Georgia Rotary student exchange program, which brings an international student to the area for a term at Georgia College & State University.

In support of Rotary International's global platform to eliminate polio, a portion of proceeds from the upcoming auction will be donated to the fundraising campaign to eradicate polio.

Since 1985, eradicating polio worldwide has been Rotary's top philanthropic goal. The Rotary organization has contributed more than $800 to fight combat the issue in more than 122 countries, according to a Rotary press release.

“Our primary focus is helping to stamp out polio,” said Fontenot of Rotary's international campaign.

Tickets for the upcoming auction, with proceeds going toward both the local and international causes, are $20. Items up for bid at this year's auction include signed framed artwork, golf outing packages, gift certificates to local eating establishments, along with a wide range of other items that span all interests, said Fontenot. One of the biggest ticket items of the evening will be a complete home air conditioning and heating system.

“We are also still soliciting donations,” she said.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. It is comprised of 1.2 million members working in more than 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic regions. Milledgeville Rotary, comprised of more than 80 professional members, meets each Thursday at noon at the Country Club. Fontenot said new members are always welcome.

“Certainly we always welcome them to contact a member,” she said.

Tickets for the Nov. 5 auction can be purchased through Fontenot at (478) 457-7504 for tickets or e-mail renee.fontenot@gcsu.edu or through incoming Rotary president Randy Stewart at (478) 457-7504 for tickets or e-mail renee.fontenot@gcsu.edu.

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