University News
From queen-sized quilt to giant cupcake, annual RIS silent auction offers a chance to ‘Rake up the Deals’
August 31, 2011
MACOMB, IL - - The Tri-States Audio Information Services' (AIS) 13th annual silent auction, which offers a chance for local bidders to take home great bargains while giving to a great cause at the same time, kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1.
A link to the complete listing of items up for bid is available on the RIS website at tristatesaudio.org. The items will also be displayed at the studios, where bidders can bid from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through the auction's closing at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21.
The "Rake up the Deals" auction's proceeds will benefit the Radio Information Service (RIS)—which fosters equal access to printed material for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled—and will help fund general operating expenses in order to advance the services offered.
"Our committee members have collected an interesting array of items for this year's auction," said AIS Director Carol Dennhardt. "Ranging from a queen-sized machine-pieced quilt to a made-to-order giant cupcake, bidders will find our silent auction makes a lot of noise. Once again our die-hard friends, newly introduced businesses and individuals have donated many items this year and we thank them all for their generosity."
This year's auction committee includes Cheryl Bailey, Phil Bell, Pearle Bradley, Joyce Fox, and Ellen Weber.
Participants may bid in person, at the University Services Building studios located on West University Drive; by calling (309) 298-2403; or by sending an email to ais@wiu.edu.
The silent auction staffers will track the starting and current bid amounts, and the website tally will keep bidders informed of the total amount of bids received. More details are included on at tristatesaudio.org (click on "Rake up the Deals" Auction on the left-hand side).
"This silent auction replaces our past ‘online/nonline' auctions that have been offered since 1999," explained Dennhardt. "In-person bidding at the studios has always been a very important component, and we believe all of our supporters will continue to follow us even with a reduced online presence. With this method, we have created an easier and more personal auction experience. Friendly competition will be strong as the bidders will see who they are out-bidding."
The items will be on display from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and from 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday-Sunday, at the RIS studios, located in the University Services Building (next to the former Cinemas on University Drive). Off-hour appointments can be made by contacting Dennhardt at (309) 298-2403. Bidders are welcome at the studios on the closing day (Sept. 21) to record their last bids and promptly take their winnings home. Winners may pick up their purchases after 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21, or from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 30 at the RIS office or by special appointment.
Examples of some of the items for this year's auction include:
Gift certificate from the "Barbershop;" sports items from William and Pearle Bradley; glass and china collectibles from Bill and Kerlene Bushaw; 10-carat two- tone diamond bracelet; complete car detail from Lundgren's Detailing; lasagna dinner for six from Marcia Moulden; Quad City International Airport items; ESPN fleece pullover; Garden Maze Quilt made by Betty Weber; California wines donated by Michael Yadgar; media-to-DVD transfers from The Ad Pro (Michael Yadgar); totebag from Penny Yunker; bicycle tune-up from The Bike Shop; painted and crocheted items by Linda Miller; Apollo Cleaning Center gift certificate; No Place Like Home gift certificate; Isabel Bloom "Girl with Pumpkin" sculpture; Blades "Creative Hairstyling for You" gift certificate; Floor to Ceiling Center of Macomb decorative item; Domino's Pizza gift certificates; Magical Entertainment by Joe Dobson; Made-to-Order Giant Cupcake by Hilltop Cake Shop; Inselhaus B&B gift certificates (rose petal turndown/champagne/breakfast-in-bed one-night stays; Red Ox Restaurant gift certificate; gift cards from Jimmy John's; gift certificate from Nelson's Clothing; 24 cases of Coke products from Coca-Cola of Macomb; one hour professional massage from Azer Clinic/Galesburg; American Red Cross First Aid kit; designer quilted purse by Nancy Bell; two-month membership from Curves; Miter Saw Laser guide from Phil Bell; framed "Dogwood Trail" print from University Baptist Church; Italian Dinner for four prepared by Harold Schmalfeld; "Colors of Autumn" afghan donated by Harold Schmalfeld; gift certificate from County Market; child's quilt hand made by Millie Sorrells; Silpada design earrings from Melissa Inman, independent Silpada Designs representative; and a Colchester Brick Field Tile oak wine rack made by Dan Curtis.
The RIS reaches a 20-county area spanning west central Illinois, southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri, broadcasting on subcarrier channels of WIUM-FM, Macomb; WIUW-FM, Warsaw/Keokuk; WQUB-FM, Quincy; and WVKC-FM, Galesburg. Volunteers read national, regional and local newspapers, magazines and novels. Listeners are supplied with pre-tuned radios to receive the broadcasts, or they listen through the Internet on the Web Streaming Service located at tristatesaudio.org. Primary attention is given to daily newspapers serving RIS communities and articles that have a local emphasis.
The RIS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with overnight hours provided by the Kansas Audio-Reader Network. The RIS is an offering of Tri-States Audio Information Services, which is a service of Western Illinois University's College of Fine Arts and Communication. Additional funding is provided by the Illinois State Library, area United Ways and Lions Clubs, and is supplemented by fundraisers and business, organizations and individual contributions.
For more information about Tri-States Audio Information Services' service and volunteer opportunities, visit tristatesaudio.org or call (309) 298-2403.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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