Calypso Auction flying west

Lewisporte - Westjet has been named carrier of choice for the 2008 Calypso Fantasy Auction.

When Peggy Greene took on the task of auction coordinator for this year, the first major obstacle she had to overcome was the pulling out of Delta Airlines as a sponsor for the auction. For the past six years Delta has been providing two tickets anywhere they fly in North America as the door prize for the auction. All that changed this year.

Due to restructuring within Delta, they opted not to provide the tickets for this year. Not to be outdone, Ms. Greene was quick to find a replacement for the door prize.

"We're very pleased to welcome Westjet onboard," said Calypso manager Colleen Barrett, "and delighted to announce that they have given us two (return) tickets to anywhere in Canada that they fly, which will be our door prize."

This flight actually proves better in many ways for the winner.

"(The winner) can fly out of either Deer Lake or St. John's instead of having to get off the island," added Ms. Greene.

Delta Airlines has no flights to Newfoundland so in the past winners of this trip have had to make their way to Halifax before they could board the plane.

Ms. Greene said that overall the plans for the May 9 auction are progressing wonderfully.

Another big prize item for this year came from Via Rail.

"Via Rail gave us four, instead of two, return tickets from Halifax to Montreal," said Ms. Greene.

There have also been donations coming in from all over the Atlantic province as well as from this province and especially the local area.

"The enthusiasm from the donors is remarkable," said Ms. Barrett. "When we explain to people why we are there, they are delighted. Most of them know about Calypso and they are just so pleased to be asked again."

In fact they have had people showing up at the Calypso building donations dropped off from people who have not been approached, haven't been asked, haven't received a donation letter.

Ms. Greene said the date of April 18 has been set as a deadline date for donations. She noted that donations will still be accepted after this date, but in order to ensure your including in the printed material for the auction, they would need confirmation by that date.

A decision on when tickets for the 2008 auction will go on sale was slated to be made during a board meeting on April 7. Calypso will be launching their new website on April 9 and Internet surfers can check for updates on the auction there, the address is www.calypsofoundation.googlepages.com/home.