Pumpkin sale raises money for Bella Coola farmers
By Mona Mattei
Halloween pumpkins were auctioned on Saturday just in time for the spooky day. The live auction, held outside the Grand Forks and District Savings Credit Union, was the first annual pumpkin fundraiser for the local agriculture society. This year Grand Forks and Boundary Regional Agricultural Society (GFBRAS) decided to share their good fortune and send the money raised to the farmers in Bella Coola who have been devastated by flooding. “Overall I’m pretty happy with the results of our auction,” said Doug Zorn, president of the society and organizer of the event. “I had to take over from another board member when she was called away to a family emergency so it was all quite last minute. But I’m happy with the money we raised and we’re going to make this bigger and better next year!” After a week long silent auction, the pumpkins went to live auction on Saturday Oct. 30. The highest bids went for the pumpkin made by City of Grand Forks staff that sold for $110. All told the auction, run by auctioneer Bob Smith of What About Bob’s, raised $435 from the 12 pumpkins decorated by local businesses. Donations for the farmers in Bella Coola are still being collected in a trust account at the credit union. And the winners are: 1. Community Futures – Pat Zorn 2. CIBC – Bruce McLaren (Cloverdale) 3. City of Grand Forks – Angela Soukoreff 4. Hutton Elementary School Grades 1&2 (2 pumpkins) – Bruce McLaren (Cloverdale) 5. Retro Betty’s – Angela Soukoreff 6. Grand Forks Recreation Centre – Mona Mattei 7. Service BC – Dylan Zorn 8. Grand Forks Gazette – Deb Smith 9. RHC Insurance – Chris Heffley & Kate Haddon 10. Dave Dale Insurance – Dylan Zorn 11. Yacky Jacquie’s Cafe – Grace Soukoreff 12. Grand Forks Credit Union – Angela Soukoreff
GFBRAS also held their monthly meat draw and they are pleased to announce the winner was Patti Redding of Grand Forks. Congratulations Patti !!
