December 9, 1999 and every year since, we have conducted a silent auction at our annual Christmas Party to raise money for our scholarship fund. The project raised more than $12,000 in 1999, December 16, 2004 the project raised more than $14,000 and December 12, 2006 more than $18,000 was raised. Rotarian and Auctioneer Bob Moates from the Sunset Rotary Club helps every year.

The scholarship fund distributed more than $40,000 to deserving students in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 to pursue their advanced education in college, technical and vocational schools.

Ideas that sell well at auction are usually unique, elegant and something that would entertain a party of friends. We encourage restaurant gift certificates, tickets to sporting and cultural events, golf packages, timeshare vacations, catered parties, fishing trips, winter or summer vacation lodging, estate jewelry, boat trips, airplane rides and specialty vehicle use. If we obtain duplicates we can often trade with other clubs in other cities who also do auctions. Do not limit your thinking to a local attraction because we have many winter visitors who meet at our club who travel extensively to have fun. If you own a home or condo up north, there is a good chance that we have someone who will bid on the item because they live or travel there off-season.

The attraction of this project is that it raises money in a way that is painless for our membership. We donate items that members already own or can obtain at little or no cost. Pilots, boaters, golfers, fishermen and sportsmen will pursue their hobbies anyway and taking along a guest gives them an opportunity to share their passion with new friends.December 6, 2007 we held our Christmas Party and Auction at the Plantation Club at the Dunes. Auctioneer Bill Roye graciously substituted for Rotarian and Auctioneer Bob Moates. Click here to view the video.

December 14, 2006, Rotarian Bob Moates is recognized for his continuing support and auctioneering skills at the Christmas Party which raised more than $18,000.  Thanks for being a friend of Naples North, Bob ! ! !

March 10, 2005, Rotarian P.J. Obrecht was honored as a Distinguished Rotarian for his work on the 2004 Christmas Party and Auction which raised about $14,000 forProjects