Greene coordinating Calypso auction

Lewisporte - LEWISPORTE Residents of Lewisporte and surrounding areas are being reminded to mark May 9 on their calendars.

That is the date set aside for the 23rd annual Calypso Auction. Peggy Greene has been hired through a 14-week Job Creation Partnership grant through Service Canada for 18 weeks to oversee and coordinate the auction.

Ms. Greene said she is very excited about her position and is already busy approaching businesses about supporting the auction.

As soon as I started work myself and Colleen (Barrett, Calypso manager) went through the request letters and they have been sent out to the businesses and private donors, said Ms. Greene.

Both local and provincial businesses as well as some national ones have been approached, even businesses as far away as Iceland.

A number of new donors have been approached. They are also looking at doing up package deals that can be bid on during the auction from high-end to low-end items for both males and females. The very popular silent auction items will be available again this year as well as a number of prize draws and games.

Both Ms. Greene and Ms. Barrett are new to the auction this year as Ms. Barrett took over as Calypso manager in the fall of 2007. The ladies agree that they will be putting a bit of a female spin on the auction this year, more of a party atmosphere.

Its a very exciting challenge, said Ms. Barrett. It would not work at all without the community support.

Even though Ms. Greene has only sent out the letters within the past couple of weeks, already the donations are coming in.

It is a tremendous indication of the support from the community and local businesses, said Ms. Barrett. The board of directors has been very supportive as well.

Ms. Barrett said Ms. Greene and herself are relying on the past experiences of the staff and board members.

Ms. Greene added that the support and encouragement from members of the general public has been wonderful as well.

Ms. Barrett said Ms. Greene has shown remarkable initiative in the short while she has been working as auction coordinator.

She has shown such enthusiasm, said Ms. Barrett. She really wants to make a success of it.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Kinsmen Community Centre.

As in previous years, the proceeds from the auction will be used to fund the living skills program offered at Calypso. This program is totally funded through donations and fundraising support from the community, there is no government funding for this program.

Any business or individual who have not been contacted but would like to make a donation toward the auction can contact Ms. Greene at 535-0933 or by e-mail at calypsoauction @nf.aibn.com.