By Jen Clancey DIGITAL PRODUCER
This article was updated on Jan. 24 to adjust event time from 7-10 p.m. to 6-10 p.m.
The Big Sky Rotary Club will hold its annual Gold Auction at The Waypoint on Jan. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. The auction will raise money for the Big Sky Rotary Club which, former president Sharon Davison describes as an organization that completes enriching and life-saving community projects and collaborates with other Big Sky nonprofits.
Tickets for this year’s event are $100 for pre-purchased VIP tickets which include food, drink tickets, raffle tickets, grand prize raffle tickets and a trivia game. At the door, tickets will be $50 and include food and entry into the trivia game. The grand raffle prizes include $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place. The Rotary aims to raise $40,000 for upcoming projects at the event this year.
“A lot of things we do are used and seen,” said Davison. She explained that the little library structures in town and electrical box covers are thanks to the Rotary and their work with other Big Sky nonprofits. Beyond community enrichment work, the Rotary also provided the call boxes in the Gallatin Canyon, which the fire department maintains, and AEDs in different locations throughout town.
Davison said Big Sky Rotary Club is 21 years old and explained that each year, a committee decides how to improve the community through money raised during the auction event.
Davison detailed current work orchestrated by The Rotary, including eye testing for West Yellowstone school students, mapping out places for bike racks and a shaded picnic area. All of these projects are made possible through the auction, which raised $35,000 last year, according to Davison.
A yearly program that Davison highlighted is the Giving Tree, which annually helps between 30 to 40 families and between 55 to 60 kids in need during the holiday season. With the help of people all over the community, Big Sky Rotary Club is able to deliver presents to families before Christmas, usually on Dec. 20.
Davison describes The Rotary as “hands-on” in the way they contribute—often they will fix, maintain and upkeep facilities and public spaces in Big Sky.
“Rotary is known for getting in there and helping out around Big Sky,” Davison said.
