45th Annual Creston Auction Needs Volunteers

By Molly Priddy, 3-09-11

	Caption: People inspect merchandise to be put for bid during the Creston Auction in 2009. The annual auction is a fundraiser for the Creston Fire Department. - Photo courtesy of the Creston Fire Department

The Creston Auction & Country Fair organizers are calling on the Flathead Valley community for help with the upcoming, 45th annual auction. They're a bit shorthanded on volunteers for the April 2-3 event, which is a big deal because it's run entirely by volunteers and raises money for the rural Creston Fire Department.

The auction is a huge event for the area - as Beacon reporter Dan Testa wrote about last year - drawing in close to 7,000 people.

Here are some of the volunteering details:

The fire department is asking people to come out Friday, April 1, to help unload trucks and trailers as items are dropped off at the sale site. Intake on Consignment Day runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., so community members can help for the morning, afternoon or even just a couple of hours after work. To volunteer Friday, call Rich Lapp at 406-253-5263.

Volunteers are also sought for every aspect of the auction, which starts Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at noon. Community members make this fundraiser happen, and the Creston Fire Department encourages auction attendees to consider arranging to volunteer for part of the event. With multiple food stations, the indoor rummage sale, and the outdoor auction, there are areas suited for everyone to help out. The fire department particularly needs people who have bookkeeping skills and are not easily distracted, can hold up auction items, like to work with food and can help with kitchen and grounds cleanup. Call Gloria Graves at 406-250-7396 for more information.

All proceeds from the auction go toward paying for training and equipment for the all-volunteer rural fire department. To donate items or get involved in planning the auction, call 406-250-7396.

For more information, visit the auction's Facebook page or http://www.crestonfire.org.
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