By Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — The Rotary Club of Greenfield raised more than $60,000 during its Gift of Life auction during the weekend, money that will provide life-saving heart surgeries around the world on children whose families couldn’t otherwise afford it.
More than 200 people attended the annual event, held at Washington Park Community Life Center in Indianapolis, bidding on more than 170 donated auction items in both live and silent auctions.
“It is a fantastic event that does so much good for so many. There are moments in the night where I wish I could bottle the emotion and the love for life in the room,” said Monica Price, who has co-chaired the event the past four years alongside Sara Joyner.
“We could not have done it without the hundreds of donations, sponsors, volunteers, attendees and donors. It really is amazing to see it all come together,” said Price, a 13-year Rotarian.
All funds raised at the annual auction go to the Indiana Gift of Life Program, which partners with the Riley Heart Team from Riley Hospital for Children, the Rotary Foundation and other Rotary Clubs around the world to fund surgeries for children who would otherwise not have access to such care.
“The money we raised this year will be enough to save the lives of over 50 children who would not otherwise have options for care without our help,” said Joyner, a 10-year Rotarian.
Funds raised locally grow exponentially by partnering with Rotary International, through its access to grants, donated services, and partnerships around the world, she said.
Over the years, the local auction has raised enough funds to save the lives of 400 kids.
Despite the serious purpose, the annual event is always a good time for all who attend, said Price.
“This year the online silent auction was especially fun to watch,” she said.
“We had just under 2,000 bids placed by hundreds of bidders from all around the country, but our live auction is the entertainment and where the magic happens, with the help of (auctioneer and Rotarian) Wayne Addison and his awesome team,” said Price.
One of the most popular auction items was a one-week stay at Paradise Village Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, which went for $2,600. The vacation package is donated each year by the resort, and always proves to be one of the event’s most sought-after items, said Joyner.
Rotary club members also put some of their handcrafted items up for auction, like an American flag, a cornhole set, and a set of salt and pepper shakers “which all sold for well over their fair market values,” she said.
Price said the Rotary Club of Greenfield has been the leading and strongest supporter of the Rotary District 6560 Foundation Gift of Life fund.
According to the Greenfield Rotary’s website, the Gift of Life Program began by bringing children from other countries for surgery at Riley Hospital. During their stay, local Rotary team members care for their families by providing groceries, emotional support, and more.
The program recently expanded to include Vocational Training Team trips by the Riley Heart Team to other countries where treatment options are limited. On these trips, the team not only operates on children who need heart surgery, but also train the in-country medical team during surgery and post-op care.
The money raised at this year’s auction, which roughly matched last year’s proceeds, will be used to continue and expand those programs.
“The generosity of our club members and guests always exceed our expectations,” said Joyner. “We are lucky to have such a supportive community and club.”
For more info on the Rotary Club of Greenfield, visit rotaryclubgreenfield.org.
