We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale grossed $863,517.24!
Our first Auction was held in 1960, raising $6,744, which covered a significant part of the $35,000 cost to build the Bainbridge Public Library. The second auction, in 1961, raised another $4,362, and was used to buy furniture for the new library, which opened in 1962.
The first three Rotary auctions were held at Winslow Shipyard (which later became the Ferry Maintenance Yard). After that, the auction moved to Commodore Bainbridge Intermediate School. In 1995, the school district opened Woodward Middle School, and we moved the auction from Commodore to Woodward.
For many years, a live auction was a significant part of the event. But gradually, the rummage sale grew to be a larger part. By 2009, because of a serious recession, donations by local businesses were more limited, and the live auction declined to less than 10% of the total. At that point, we eliminated the live auction, and focused instead on the rummage sale, but still with silent bid auctions in some departments.
From the very first auction, expenses have been about a quarter of gross revenue. Expenses include advertising; pick-up costs; food for volunteers and to sell on sale day; funds paid to the school district; garbage disposal; equipment such as signs, tables, and storage containers; security, and various other expenses.
Over the past 65 years, our gross revenue has totaled more than $12.2 million! After expenses, that means our net revenue – donated entirely to charitable purposes – has been about $9 million.
Thank you, Bainbridge Island, for many years of support of the Rotary Auction!
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By Charlie Averill