By Sylvia Payne
AgriNews Contributor
OTTAWA – The Annual Toy Auction is our only planned fund raiser for the year (sometimes other fund raisers pop up as well). With the net proceeds, we provide people and families in our communities who are experiencing difficulties with food baskets (or food gift cards) of an approximate value of $200 each. We ask our members and directors to put forward names of individuals or families who are in need of assistance. In the past, we prepared and delivered all the food baskets around Easter. However, it was becoming difficult to get a dozen or so names all at one time, so now we do it on an as-needed basis throughout the year. Often for folks experiencing financial difficulty, but not always. We have also given baskets to folks affected by serious health issues, following a loved one’s death, after a fire or some serious weather events that caused damage to their homes or businesses. With the 2024’s toy auction net proceeds, we were able to distribute approximately 18 baskets. Recipients of the baskets are always so appreciative, and we have occasionally seen them “pay it forward” by making a donation back to our club’s food basket reserves, or to other worthwhile causes.
The 2025 toy auction was our most successful yet. We are reluctant to disclose a dollar figure, as it does not convey the whole picture. The majority of the toys at auction were “consigned”, which means VITEO keeps only 20 per cent of the bid price, and the consignor is paid 80 per cent of the bid price. We do have 100 per cent donations as well, and the club keeps the full bid price for the donated toys. The 100 per cent donations come from individuals, but also from many agriculture dealerships in Eastern Ontario. We do have some expenses related to the auction as well. We were extremely pleased with this year’s auction, we had 124 lots to sell, and the total of the gross bids was approximately 45 per cent higher than last year’s auction!
We thank James Auction Service Ltd. for donating their services and time to us. VITEO’s President, Carson Hill, was long-time auctioneer partner of Stewart James, and they often do charitable auctions together. (Carson has retired from the business). We also thank the Ottawa Valley Farm Show for letting us inject this auction into their farm show, as it’s a great venue, with the perfect agricultural audience interested in buying the toys at auction. Many VITEO members are collectors of the toy tractors (as well as big tractors), so this annual auction is an event we look forward to each year. We had a great turnout, with 81 registered bidders. We are so appreciative of all the consignors and donators, and all the bidders and buyers!
In addition to the Toy Auction, VITEO has had a collector tractor available for sale each year at the farm show. The tractors are limited editions, and are numbered. We purchased 125 to sell this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of this tradition, and the model is a Massey Ferguson 98. Each year, VITEO donates the number 1 toy to the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers for their auction which they hold on Thursday at the farm show. All proceeds of that sale go to CHEO. Mr. George Tackaberry has generously purchased the number one tractors each year, donating thousands of dollars to CHEO as a result. This year, his winning bid was $14,000. We are pleased to keep this tradition going and have that money directed to CHEO!
The next event is an antique tractor drive in support of Skuce Repairs Grand Re-Opening event on Sun., April 13 at their shop on 9th Line Road in Winchester.
