The Rotary Club of Sarnia launched its 40th annual auction on Tuesday.
Member Michael John Kooy said the fundraiser is now strictly online.
"We've been doing this for many years and back in the day it was a TV auction," Kooy said. "We partnered with TV Cogeco and that was a great partnership, but we moved online a few years ago and it just allows us to, I think, to give a better experience for people who are bidding. You can do everything, obviously, on your screen. You can put in bids for multiple items."
Bidding starts November 14 and runs until November 19 at SarniaRotaryAuction.com.
"This is our largest fundraiser for the year. The whole club is involved, reaching out to many people in the business community. They've donated in the past and have come out again this year to support this. There's about 500 items, in a whole range of processes. There are more expensive things, but there's also things for people who are just looking for stocking stuffers, he said.
Kooy said the total value of the various items exceeds $70,000, so they hope to raise close to that.
"I mentioned that there's something for everyone," he said. "Sarnia Concrete has offered concrete. I always love that one. They've done it in the past, and I just think, if you're working on a project... what a great way to get that."
The City of Sarnia has donated the Community Suite at Progressive Auto Sales Arena for a Sting game.
"There are a couple of TV's, there's a trellis, there's a family membership at the Sarnia Riding Club. But, there's also smaller things. Global Donuts has donated gift certificates for a dozen donuts. Kernels, in Lambton Mall, have donated popcorn," said Kooy.
He said they really couldn't have done it without the support of local businesses and community members bidding on the items.
"All of the money, 100 per cent of it because we're a volunteer club, goes back into the community. Whether that's supporting Bluewater Health or the new initiative we have at the club, which is being a catalyst for new supportive and affordable housing in our community."
