Pekin AMBUCS is preparing for its 38th annual auction, set for 5 p.m.
Friday at its traditional location: the Memorial Arena in Pekin’s Mineral Springs Park. The auction offers a great deal of variety, said past AMBUCS President Jim Deverman. “We tell people that there’s something for everyone, no matter what size your wallet or what you’re looking for,” he said. A 42-inch LG plasma television will be raffled off during the auction, Deverman said. Tickets will be sold for $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. They can be purchased at the auction, he said, or can be obtained beforehand by calling him at 346-1194. The auction is the only fundraiser that AMBUCS puts on all year, Deverman said. The first event was in 1971, he said, and the most successful auction was in 2001, when AMBUCS raised $41,000. Deverman said he is not really worried that this year’s auction will bring in less money because of the dreary economy. “Last year we were worried about that,” he said, “but as it turns out, we frequently do the best at those times, because everybody’s looking for a bargain, and we’ve got some of the best.” The organization garnered $39,000 from last year’s auction, Deverman said &mdash the best result in five years.
Food will also be available during the auction, including rib-eye and butterflied pork chop sandwiches grilled on site. Strawberry shortcake and pie, homemade by the wives of several AMBUCS members, will also be for sale, along with soft drinks, chips and more.