The money ticker of the planned construction of a new Standard Community hall got a big boost on Friday, December 3, as $100,000 was brought in through a Lions Club Stag Auction held at the old hall.
Around 142 items, including anything from gunsafes, bicycles, and fresh baking were donated by individuals and corporations, fetching a total of $115,000.
“It’s been one of the biggest events of the year for the Lions Club, all for the benefit of the new community hall,” said auction chairman Brett Gates, also of the Lions Club, which has given around $300,000 to the project so far. They’ve already pledged another $200,000.
“They are by far the biggest supporter,” says Susan Bragg, member of the New Hall Board Committee. “They support nearly every aspect of our community events.”
The highest fetching items at the auction were a chrome display shovel with the buyer’s name etched into it, going for $9,000. A John Deere gunsafe garnered $9,000 as well, and even a monthly delivery of cinnamon buns for a year earned $1,200.
Gates says the construction of a new hall is in dire need in the small village of Standard, as the whole community is getting behind the project.
“Structurally, it was built out of used materials when they built it (in 1949), so it wasn’t that sound to begin with,” said Gates.
“Everyone realizes we need it," said Bragg, adding finding funding for projects in a community the size of Standard is difficult.
“If you build it, they will come, along with the donations,” said Gates. Applications for corporate grants are being filled out this week.