North Webster Community Center Board of Directors President Dennis Wagoner hands the grand prize winning ticket to auctioneer Brian Wuthrich during the center’s annual fundraiser, held Saturday evening in North Webster. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

NORTH WEBSTER — The annual Heart of the Community Charity Auction & Raffle benefitting the North Webster Community Center was held in the building’s gymnasium on Saturday evening, Oct. 7. Hundreds of people enjoyed a dinner catered by The Sleepy Owl prior to the auction, which featured nearly 50 items donated by area businesses and individuals. The evening’s theme was a Hawaiian luau, so many in attendance were festooned in flower print shirts and clothing, along with leis and other island themed items.

Brian Wuthrich of Hahn Auctioneers encouraged the bidders from the podium. The proceeds of the dinner, auction and raffle ticket sales will benefit the North Webster Community Center, helping it to stay open and defraying operating costs. The center is home to several community organizations, including the North Webster Community Public Library, Senior Primelife Enrichment Center and the Watershed Foundation. It also provides a variety of programming for residents of all ages and does not receive any funding from local property taxes.

One of the more unique auction items on Saturday night was this “IU Outhouse” donated by Harry Kyler.

The final event of the evening was the much anticipated drawing of the winning raffle ticket. Tickets have been sold for the past several weeks for $25 each, although the price increased to $30 on the night of the event.

The lucky grand prize winner was Ron Richey of North Webster, who now has to decide whether to choose $12,000 cash, a 2017 UTV Polaris Ranger from Loose Moose Motor Sports or a 2016 Sylvan pontoon boat from Pro Wake Watersports. Richey was not in attendance when his name was drawn, so Wuthrich called him from the podium to inform him of his good fortune.

“We are so thankful that everyone could attend this evening’s event and support the center,” said Dennis Wagoner, president of the North Webster Community Center’s board of trustees. “We hope they enjoyed the dinner and entertainment. It was a very successful evening supported by the members of the community and friends of the center.”

Auctioneer Brian Wuthrich, right, dials his mobile phone in an effort to contact the grand prize winner of the raffle drawing.

One of the prizes at the Heart of the Community Charity Auction & Raffle was this custom power wheels vehicle, donated by Brenspeed. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Bidders were lined up down the hallway to pay for their purchases following the auction held Saturday night.

Auctioneer Brian Wuthrich points out a bid during the annual Heart of the Community Charity Auction & Raffle, held Saturday evening at the North Webster Community Center.