By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor
Article Photos
Submitted Photo --
Members of the base and Minot area check out items to be auctioned at the 2008 Team Minot Prairie Warrior Association Auction at the Holiday Inn Riverside in Minot, shown in this Air Force photo. This year’s auction, the 23rd annual event, will be held March 21 at the Holiday Inn-Riverside.
Exotic dinners, hunting and other trips, very special desserts, paintings and specialty baskets are among the items on the auction block at the 23rd annual Team Minot Prairie Warrior Association Auction set for March 21 in the Holiday Inn-Riverside in Minot.
Sponsored by the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, the annual event is held to show the community's continued support for the men and women at Minot Air Force Base.
Admission is $20 per person, which includes hors d'oeuvres and a bidding card.
Fact Box
Donation deadline extended to Friday
The auction begins at 5:30 p.m. with a preview of merchandise, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres, followed by the auction at 6:30 p.m.
John Bearman is in his third year as auctioneer for the event.
"John Bearman donates his time to the auction and in the years he's done this, he has reached record highs in monies raised. His support for the military and the Chamber of Commerce is outstanding," said Betty Fedorchak, chairwoman of the auction.
Through 2008, the auction has raised more than $325,000 for Minot AFB morale efforts, Fedorchak said. Last year was one of the most successful auction's on record grossing more than $35,000, she said.
Money raised at the auction is used to support base teams, squadron activities, annual awards banquet and Operation Warmheart, a yearround program providing food and clothing to needy service members and their families and also Thanksgiving baskets during the holiday season.
The funds raised at this year's auction will also support the base Northern Neighbors Day open house set for July 18.
Donations needed, deadline Friday
Donations from Minot and area businesses, organizations and individuals are welcome and should be made immediately.
The deadline for donations has been extended to Friday, Fedorchak said.
Some suggested guidelines for donations include:
Items donated can be serious, humorous, unusual, imaginative or creative.
Include any special instructions or information concerning the item, such as historical significance, if applicable. The information may increase the item's value during bidding.
Items donated by the Friday deadline will be included in the printed auction program.
If an item is an intangible gift (service, membership, etc.) a certificate or letter from the donor/business is required.
For more information about the auction, including donations, contact Fedorchak at 838-6680 or at Minot AFB, Andy McElvaine at 723-6342 for the 5th Bomb Wing, or Greg Sava at 340-5747 for the 91st Missile Wing.
Donated items should be dropped off in Minot at the Chamber office at 1020-20th Ave. SW or at Esoterica at 111 S. Main St.
To make arrangements for pick up of donations, in Minot call Fedorchak, and on base, call McElvaine or Sava.
"I'm looking to have a great auction this year," Fedorchak said.