Picton Kinsmen auction pumps $7,000 into fund for County charities

Auctioneer Adam Miller getting every last bid from the crowd while Kinsmen Gary Davidson prepares to deliver the donated prize to its winner.

An auction by community, for community, added almost $7,000 toward the many donations Picton Kinsmen will make this year supporting County groups and organizations.

The Kinsmen’s 9th annual charity auction saw more than 200 items and services donated by businesses and individuals from across the County sold off in draws, silent and live auctions.

The crowd was entertained by Mayor Steve Ferguson and Kinsmen Phil St-Jean pulling winners’ names from ‘Looney Bucket’ draws, while club members delivered the prizes.

“Live auctioneer Adam Miller was fantastic as well, managing to squeeze a few extra dollars from the crowd,” said St.-Jean. “It all made for a very successful, fun night.”

The club presented two donations of $1,500 to Relay for Life PEC and to Quinte Access. The two groups are among 40 the club supports annually.

“All of our members and their spouses worked very hard to make it a success for the 9th year in a row,” said St.-Jean, noting this year, the event was organized by Jean Theoret and Gary Davidson.

Davidson was the organizer of the first charity auction and following thunderous applause from the members and crowd, bestowed the Picton Kinsmen’s first title of ‘Honourary Kinsmen’ to John Hardon, “in recognition of kindness and outstanding generosity shown for the past nine charity auctions.”

Though noting he was “speechless” during the presentation, Hardon later said he has always supported the club, but when he was the owner of County Traders in Bloomfield, he never had the time to join.

“I was, and am, always pleased to support them and the great work they do in the community,” said Hardon. “They really care. They have such a great cross-section of people from the community in the club and they all care.”

Gary Lewis also showed he cares, donating his winnings from the night’s 50/50 draw back to the club.

The Kinsmen call the former Benson Hall on King Street in Picton home base (Kin Hall) and meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month to enjoy a meal, fellowship and conduct club business.
It is from there they run their popular Thursday night bingo games on the local cable channel – an event that has been on the air for more than 30 years.

This year Picton Kinsmen celebrates its 75th year in the community. Over the past five years, members have donated well over $100,000 back to the community.

The club’s next fundraiser will be the 39th Annual Picton Kinsmen Golf Tournament June 8th. For more information about the club, to join, or volunteer, visit their website or on Facebook