The Hopkinsville Rotary Club’s 76th auction might be around six months away, but Rotarians are preparing now for their biggest annual fundraiser, and the auction’s theme was unveiled at Tuesday’s meeting.
While picking a theme, Auction Chair Brett Pritchett dived into a bit of American history and landed on the theme, “Spirit of 76.” The Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, and Pritchett says historians refer to the determination of the nation’s founding fathers as the Spirit of 76, and he hopes that his fellow Rotarians will have the same resolve when it comes to hosting a successful auction.
Pritchett says he felt a wide range of emotions as he decided whether to take on the role of auction chair. Above all of the emotions, he describes the role as a privilege and a responsibility, but he knows he is not alone in that endeavor and has the support of the club and the community.
Funds raised by the auction allows the club to provide scholarships and loans to students pursuing higher education as well as support local nonprofits. The auction benefits the Rotary Scholars program, which allows local students to attend Hopkinsville Community College tuition-free, and the Rotary Impact Program, which supports students pursuing high-demand career paths.
Pritchett has also worked with Peg Hays, the co-founder of Casey Jones Distillery, to establish a bourbon for the upcoming auction. Hayes unveiled The Rotary’s 76 Bourbon.
For the first 100 Rotary bourbon bottles purchased, Hays says the distillery will donate $76 to the auction per bottle.
The Rotary auction is set to take over the Hopkinsville War Memorial Building from April 20 to April 25 next year. The 75th Rotary Auction raised over $634,000 which set a new fundraising record.
