The annual Ponoka Christian School fundraising auction is still a go this year, but it will not look the same.
Due to school closures and the COVID-19 restrictions put in place on gatherings, the auction will be strictly online courtesy VJV Auctions in Ponoka.
The auction will be hosted on www.vjvauction.com starting on May 16 with the opportunity to see close to 180 items up for grabs. That’s followed by the bidding portion which starts at 9:30 a.m. on May 23.
“(This year) has had its challenges, but we are so thankful that we have this option. VJV right away stepped up and offered its services and we really appreciate it,” said Kim Haan, one of the organizers in a email interview.
“The community has also been really awesome again this year. We have lots of great items for our live auction donated from not only people in our school community, but also from many local businesses and for that we are truly grateful.”
Haan added that the donations are right around the numbers they are used to getting, but unlike the in-person auction there won’t be any actual food or items to fight over.
“We won’t be having a silent auction or a bake sale this year,” she said.
“There are a number of homemade items and so many other donated items, like gift certificates for work like custom farming or excavator work, that will be in the live auction this year instead.
“We are still going to be auctioning off some food items, just some will now be in gift certificates.”
The auction is held to help the school meet its financial needs, but it was also about gathering together.
“We really enjoy gathering as a school society,” Haan said.
“It was always such a fun day and so awesome to see everyone come out and see how much support the school has.”