By the end of the lunch hour, the Walter E. Bostick Readiness Center was still bustling with treasure seekers and those attempting to feed their appetites at the 54th Annual Rotary Auction on Tuesday.

Anne Edwards, Rocking Rotary Club vice president elect, took on the responsibilities of organizing the auction.

“It’s been a real experience,” Edwards said. “It’s been fun and been a good day for us.”

What makes this year’s auction special is that the auction has potential to be record-setting for the club.

This past year, Rotarians raised approximately $54,000 at the auction and this year they have raised the bar and set their goal at $60,000.

If the club breaks their goal, they’ll have grossed over $1 million for the Richmond County community since the first auction 54 years ago.

“It’s a landmark,” Edwards said. “And it would be good to do just that.”

In addition to a barbecue and chicken plate sale, which had exceeded 900 plates by 1:30 p.m., according to Edwards, the readiness center also housed a country store and bake sale hosted by the Rotary Club.

“The country store has been busier than ever,” Edwards said, who contributes its heightened busyness to the economy since, “people are more aware of prices.”

Edwards said she expected to see roughly 200 people attend the auction on Tuesday night to bid on the items donated to the club.

At the auction, several vehicles including two cars and a van and numerous other items donated by Rotarians and members of the community, were to be auctioned off during the event.

All proceeds from the auction go towards the goal.

For those interested in testing their luck, the Rotary Club likewise offered a drawing for a 2009 Chevy Colorado pick-up truck prior to the drawing, plus a drawing for two VISA gift cards valued at $1,000 and $500.

The Rotary Club Auction fundraiser is the only fundraiser they hold each year. All proceeds stay within Richmond County to benefit local charities and businesses who are seeking assistance.

This year’s proceeds will be allocated through a grant process to help in the organization of how the funds will be dispersed through the community.

Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.