Rick Madden looks over silent items for bid at Saturday’s North Webster Community Center Heart of the Community Charity Auction and Raffle. Over 50 items were auctioned off at the eighth annual event. (Photos by Phoebe Muthart)

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Community Center relies on donations to keep the doors open year round. The North Webster Community Center Heart of the Community Charity Auction and Raffle was held Saturday, Oct. 3 to benefit the community center.

As usual, a large crowd filled the gymnasium in the community center. Approximately 1,500 people attended the eighth annual event. Over 50 items were auctioned off live and 120 items were bid silently. Tracy Roberts was the grand prize winner during the raffle. Her options include: a 2015 Polaris Ranger XP 900EPS, a 2014 Ford Escape, $10,000 cash, or a pontoon boat.

John Moore of Warsaw won the second place raffle, $200 per month in groceries from NewMarket for an entire year. Leon Bazzoni was the third place raffle winner and will get $100 per month in gasoline for an entire year.

Dennis Wagoner, president of the board, said he was very pleased with tonight’s turnout. “It feels like we have as many, if not more, than we’ve every had,” he said of the crowd. “We’ve done very well.”

Among the highlights was a paddleboard auctioned off for $1,250. All the proceeds of that sale will benefit the North Webster Food Pantry. Jon Sroufe’s truck was auctioned for $4,000. The North Webster Lady Lioness Club donated $2,000 to the community center.

Auctioneer Brian Wuthrich presided over the live auction, while Jon Sroufe looks on. Sroufe’s truck was auctioned off for $4,000. Over 50 items were auctioned off live during the charity event.