Rotary Club of Lloydminster president, Mike Sidoryk, left, and member Anita Schmidt, were excited to raise $3,555 for The Olive Tree and the Salvation Army food bank at a Lloydminster Rotary silent auction dinner at Spiro’s Restaurant on Monday night. The total was split with the Border City Rotary Club. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Eat, drink and be merry, while raising funds for charity with a silent auction.
That was the basic agenda at this year’s Rotary Christmas social and auction at Spiro’s Restaurant on Monday night.
“Tonight’s event is a fun evening together to celebrate Christmas,” said Rotary Club of Lloydminster president and master of ceremonies, Mike Sidoryk.
“We’ve done this now for quite a few years. It’s an exciting evening; we have an auction and we raise some funds to disperse for Christmas.”
The event raised $3,555 with the Rotary Club of Lloydminster and Border City Rotary splitting the proceeds donated to The Olive Tree and the Salvation Army.
“It’s just a tough time out there for everybody and of course, Christmas is coming and everybody’s just watching those pennies,” said Sidoryk.
“Anytime we can donate to The Olive Tree and the Salvation Army to help support, it’s a great night.”
The social brought together about 60 members and guests from both clubs to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the fixings.
Sidoryk noted since Maria Kokonas is president of the Border City Rotary Club and owner of Spiro’s, the choice of host restaurants was a no-brainer.
“We thought we would change it up a little bit and have our Christmas social and auction at Spiro’s who is also a great community supporter,” he explained.
Spiro’s brought in pianist Daryl Amundrud to play some festive tunes over dinner before local auctioneer Russel Copeland took over the microphone for his high-energy routine.
Some of the auction items were gift baskets, a crib board and a couple of pricey bottles of alcohol along with seven mystery gifts.
