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 That
group is the planning committee for the annual event and consists of
Karen Castelein, Annie Coers, Cindy Guyett, Jennifer Luckhart, Nila
Smith and Chassidy White. These five people work hard starting about
three months ahead of auction night to assure that everything goes
as planned.
But, they are never alone in these efforts. There are dozens of
people who play a part in the success of the night, and they are
often hidden in the background performing tasks that are necessary
with out seeking any recognition of their contributions.
The committee knows each one of these folks, and knows the effort
they put into making the night a success.
Among the first to be called on to help out is the staff at Lincoln
Daily News. In addition to performing their daily duties for the
paper, they take on chores that will benefit the auction.
Noah Adkins does all the printing of signs and banners for the
auction, and he donates his time and materials. He does a wonderful
job, and he is much appreciated by the committee.
Another large group of silent heroes are the folks
who work at Collision Concepts. Try to imagine if you will what it
takes to turn a working autobody shop with wrecked vehicles and
parts filling every bay in to the pristinely clean, very
well-organized event that guests find on Thursday night. They do
everything from moving everything out of the building and tucking it
all away in other locations, to mopping floors and helping with the
setting up of tables and chairs, helping to bring in the auction
items once they are delivered to the venue, and sticking around
throughout the night and making themselves available to help buyers
get to their vehicles with their merchandise. Then it is tear down
all the tables, fold all the chairs, pick up all the trash and move
back in all the parts and wrecked cars that were hauled out earlier
in the day.
They work very hard and it is not said often enough or loud enough
how their efforts are appreciated.
It is also not mentioned often enough or loud enough that the Logan
County Fair Board happily loans the auction all the tables needed
for the evening, and for the past two years, Don Peasley with
Peasley Funeral Homes has provided those wonderfully comfortable
padded chairs that guests enjoy during the auction.
Another group that is unsung is the staff from
Illinois American Water, who for the last several years have gone to
the fairground and loaded up the 40 plus tables needed and delivers
them to Collision and helps unload them. The following morning they
return to Collision and gather those tables up and return them to
the fairground.
This year, another addition to the list of unsung
heroes is Brad Matthews. With more than 200 items to transport from
the office of Lincoln Daily News to Collision Concepts, Matthews and
a couple of his staff came to the LDN office with a box trailer and
loaded every item, then carefully drove it all to Collision where
they helped with unloading it.
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Annie Coers solicits volunteers from the staff at
Tremont Bank to help with checking out customers at the end of the
auction.
Staff from Collision and LDN also volunteer to help out being
runners for bid sheets, and helping with the check-out table and
cashier tables.
Bill Post, Tonita Reifsteck and Janice Funk are on hand the night of
the auction selling luminaria and mystery bags.
Tim and Libby Canady provide the sound system for the auction.
A new attraction this year was a lovely balloon arch
at the photo backdrop. It was put together by Kate Andrews who
donated her time and talent in honor of her son who is a cancer
survivor.
Joe & Michelle Ryan volunteered last year to provide a wine table
and did so again this year. It is a much-appreciated contribution to
the success of the night.
Of course Brad and Jennifer Luckhart provided much of the food along
with Cindy Guyett and friends.
The committee also greatly appreciates the efforts of
the auctioneers. This year Ty Tucker and his brother Cody conducted
the live auction donating their time and talents to the success of
the event.
And last but far from least the Little Miss Logan
County Olivia Harmsen and Junior Miss Logan County Sophia Goodman
and their families deserve many thanks for giving their time and
wonderful talent to the auction.
There are many more that are involved by donating
auction items, for it wouldn’t be an auction without items, and
there would also not be an auction without bidders.
The committee wishes to thank all these people and any they too may
have overlooked in this note.
Without all of these people, without all of YOU, this would be a
wasted effort.
Thank you for all you do. [Nila Smith]
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