And that’s just what he’s doing.
Posey said he’s already started asking for donations, but there still is a lot of work to be done to get enough items to fill the auction, which is set for Saturday, Feb. 28. So far, guests can expect to bid on items for all budget sizes: a cooler, golf balls, an item autographed by Don Mattingly, a golf outing for four, subscriptions to the Boonville Standard, and more. But, this year’s auction is a little different for Posey. His friend and Chandler counterpart for the auction, Don Fisher, lost his battle with cancer last year. “Don Fisher passed away and he was a big supporter of this,” said Posey. “He worked for this for years and years with me, and he died of cancer, too.” Of course, that means someone else will help collect items in Chandler this year. Fortunately, Fisher’s daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Barry Daniels, have stepped up to take over. They’ll be calling on local businesses and individuals to contribute to the auction, which could help prevent other families from going through their experience. Posey wanted the veteran Elks auction-goers to know that Barry Daniels will also be carrying on Fisher’s tradition by providing Fisher’s favorite merchandise. Several other people have also been recruited for this year’s event. Mike Wilder, Kevin Blaylock, Tom Crowe, Charlie Coomes, Dale Carter, Jay Hickman and Sally Hickman have all volunteered to step up the efforts this year. Posey said some of the new and returning recruits are hoping to help the auction grow this year by approaching businesses in other areas of the county, like Newburgh. If successful, Posey said the Elks are hopeful to exceed last year’s donation of $6,000. “Everybody helps out a little,” he said. “And $6,000 is not a lot of money. But, you take 77 Elks lodges in Indiana, they all do it at the end of this month and the first of March, and you take that many of them donating that much money to Indiana and Purdue universities &mdash that’s a whole lot of money when you get 77 lodges doing it.” The success of the Boonville auction can, in part, be attributed to the fact that the group doesn’t turn away any donation, no matter how big or small. If you’re willing to donate it, they’re willing to auction it off. They’ll even come and pick it up if you can’t bring it to them. Items can be dropped off at Posey’s Market in Boonville (897-5806) or Fisher Brothers Lumber Company in Chandler (925-3331).