LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the Lexington Park Rotary Club’s usual fundraising events, including the annual U.S. Oyster Festival.
Money raised by the organization in 2019 went to pay for a variety of good causes including:
- Scholarships for 19 high school graduates
- Launching a food bank
- Funds for STEM students to create PPE
- Refurbishing a home for a family in need
- Dictionaries for third graders in 11 local schools
- Help for service members recovering from PTSD
Canceling the fundraiser was a tough decision according to Rotary of Lexington Park President Tricia Powell. While the event is the biggest fundraiser of the year, putting it on this year was cost-prohibitive. “It was a real tough decision, but because of COVID it would have cost us an awful lot to try to implement safety standards. It would have been too hard to keep people at a safe distance.”
Instead, the organization decided to go virtual and put on an online auction. Items offered range from jewelry to a stuffed ham platter to an evening with the “Piano Man”, Joe Martone. Bids on some items start as low as $10.
Follow this link to check them out: https://event.auctria.com/3386579a-ce2f-4804-9d3d-f5e1271a244d/
The organization is also accepting new or gently used items to add to the auction. The auction runs through December 6.
Tricia Powell says, “Just get in there and bid.”