Frank Denzler
Earlier this week, farmers and others began arriving with items to be placed in this year’s New Salem Lions Club farm auction and consignment sale at the organization’s building on U.S. 52 in New Salem.
The one-day event will be held rain or shine, beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 and throughout the day Tuesday vehicles began unloading their wares.
According to one of the many organizers for the event, Larry Johnson, he and others are surprised by the sheer number and variety of items that arrive to be auctioned off each year.
“We have started off a little slower the first couple of days this year compared to those in years past, but it is picking up. We are getting a number of calls today. I think the economy may have something to do with it. But the sale will go on, we will be here the last Saturday of the month,” Johnson said.
He continued by saying that he has had calls from individuals as far away as Pennsylvania and Hamilton, Ohio regarding this year’s sale to go along with items from New Palestine that have already arrived.
Since the inaugural sale in 1967 that generated $300, the annual event has grown considerably.
This year will mark the 43 consecutive year members have held the sale to generate funds that assist a number of local causes and organizations.
Last year the sale generated in excess of $450,000 in total gross sales.
Funds generated at the auction have been used to provide eyeglasses for school children that otherwise would do without. For a number of years the New Salem Lions Club has been the first to contribute to the local Relay for Life effort with this year being no exception. Lions Club members also annually host a Christmas party for underprivileged youth in the community.
“This year we clothed 37 kids and annually give $3,200 in scholarships to local students,” Johnson said.
It has been 35 years since the sale moved to its current location and this year’s organizers are looking forward to the event.
“It is a great thing that we have been able to do for a number of years. It takes a lot of support and we get that from the entire community. The event has become a reunion of sort where each year old friends get together to support a good many causes. With the cost of things nowadays you just can’t raise enough money with a couple of pancake breakfasts. This is just a great thing that helps us support a number of great local causes,” Johnson said.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
