Duncan Annual Christmas Auction focused on “Doubling the Good”

DUNCAN — The Annual Duncan Rotary Christmas Auction will take place December 2nd through December 6th, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube, and DuncanAuction.org.

Local supporters are desperately needed, “It’s been a tough year for so many members of our community and we saw a unique opportunity this auction cycle to double the good of what the auction does each year,” said Club President Craig Taliaferro in a press release.

“Double the Good” is this year’s theme for the auction. Winners are able to give to two causes at their discretion. Items identified as Double the Good can be kept by the winner for themselves which aids in the rotary’s goal of clothing Duncan Public School elementary aged children in need this winter. Winners can also opt to donate their item to the non-profit or student identified as the Double the Good recipient, thus clothing a child in need and assisting a local non-profit or education service.

Identified potential recipients of Double the Good items to date include Stephens County Humane Society, the Toy Shop, Charis Center, the Safe Center, and Red River Technology Welding Program Students. Winners willing to Double the Good can either take the item directly to the organization or Duncan Rotary can deliver items on behalf of the winner. Winners only need to notify Rotarians of their choice.

Items can be picked up at the Rotary Hut (corner of 7th and Elder next to Rotary Park) during auction hours. Proceeds from the auction will be used to provide appropriate winter clothing and shoes for approximately 300 children and to provide scholarships for area high school students.

The Annual Christmas Auction began as a Jaycees community initiative in 1957. Originally, the event was hosted live on air via radio. The tradition was quickly embraced by Duncan citizens and has been serving children in need since. Jaycees disbanded in the early 2010’s and the auction was then taken over by the Duncan Rotary Club. The club has grown the initiative through “community partnerships, local supporters, and embracing advancing technology to spread the news and attract new bidders,” according to the press release.