August 19, 2013
The 20th annual summer auction and yard sale turned out to be the biggest and best ever for the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department and the entire community.
More than $58,000 was raised at the two-day event, shattering previous fund-raising records.
"This just keeps getting better and better," said Wes Haynes, the fire department's safety officer and long-time auction chairman. "This community is amazing."Hundreds of people attended the Sunday auction and the two-day yard sale held at the main fire station and adjacent old Orr's Island Schoolhouse on Route 24 on Orr's Island.
Top-selling items at the auction included a sailboat which sold for $8,000 after spirited bidding. Other big-ticket items included a Pace Arrow motor home $3,000, another sailboat for $2,500 and an antique china cabinet for about $1,000.
Several pieces of island history also attracted numerous bids, including old signs and other items from a former business on Mackerel Cove on Bailey Island and a recently closed motel on Orr's Island.Some special auction items – including fresh-baked pies and a pair of roller skates purchased and donated back each year with the addition of the buyer’s signature – also raised hundreds of dollars.
Records also were set at the two-day yard sale held August 10 and 11 in and around the adjacent Old Orr’s Island Schoolhouse and from a silent auction of services, gift certificates and merchandise donated by area businesses. Sales of fresh-cooked breakfast and lunch also set new fund-raising records.
Records also were set at the two-day yard sale held August 10 and 11 in and around the adjacent Old Orr’s Island Schoolhouse and from a silent auction of services, gift certificates and merchandise donated by area businesses. Sales of fresh-cooked breakfast and lunch also set new fund-raising records.
The auction began 20 years ago as an effort to raise money to help pay for training and equipment for the all-volunteer fire and rescue department. About $350 was raised the first year. A decade later, proceeds totaled about $22,000.
The weekend sale is widely considered a community tradition and one of the most anticipated events of the year. Many attendees noted they plan their summer visits around the event to take part in the community spirit and camaraderie on display each year.Fire Chief Ed Blain, who served as one of the auctioneers, noted that spirit was on display not only in the size and enthusiasm of the crowds, but also in the number of people who donated items for sale or volunteered their time and energy to help make the weekend a success.
"This is not our event any more. It is the community's event. We're just the shepherds," Blain said.All money raised at the sale helps fund the operation of the all-volunteer department, which provides fire and rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of the Nazarene Church on Route 24.
For more information about OBIFD or volunteering, visit the department's web site at www.obifd.org.