The Town Crier: Local News: Annual Caraway ambulance auction raises over $9,000 (04/19/11)

Caden Browning, 3, Lyla Grace Salomon, 7 months, Emmie Sanders, 3, and Bryton Sanders, 4, compare favorite farm equipment before the auction begins.
(Town Crier photo/Nan Snider)

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The annual Caraway Volunteer Ambulance Service auction raised over $9,000 Saturday, April 23, as townspeople and area donors came out to support their local ambulance service.

"As usual our people came out in force for us, making donations and bidding on items," Ambulance Service Director Roger Adcock said. "We had good weather and an excellent attendance."

Some of the items donated included blankets, framed pictures, miniature farm equipment, toys, table lamps, floor lamps, and farm chemicals. There were many choices of items for every age group.

Auctioneer Bill Harrell is assisted by Scotty Browning, Roger Bell, and Merle Langston, during the auction, as Sandy and Roger Adcock encourage bidding and donations from those attending the event.

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"We cooked 140 boston butts for pre-auction sales," said Adcock. "We sold barabecue sandwiches at the concession stand, along with other auction favorites. Everyone pitches in to help where they can, and we couldn't make it without that. This is a community event, for a community based ambulance service. We depend on the revenue from this event to keep us going all year."

Auctioneers for the day were Bill Harrell of Monette and Gregg Stallings of Manila. Ambulance personnel, EMTs and drivers helped encourage bidding during the auction. Bernard Berry and Mayor Barry Riley assigned bidding numbers at the entrance. Sandy Adcock served as secretary and collection agent for the event.