Auction Action - News & Slideshow!

Last fall the animal shelter received a phone call from a man named Jim McMurray. He'd heard the shelter was planning an auction and offered to be the auctioneer. He ended up being much more than that; he was a teacher, a guiding light, and a great friend.

Jim of United Country - Stone Realty & Auction fame, did a whole lot more for us than auctioneer. He printed hundreds of flyers for us to mail and post, inspired us, encouraged us, told us stories, and prayed for a sunny day in the midst of a snow storm. (That last one didn't bother Jim a bit but some of us were biting our nails!)

We needn't have worried. We got the sun, were given tons of stuff to sell, had a huge turnout, and made a lot of money. A LOT - to the tune of about $14,000 !! Now that's service!

We have so many people to thank for this successful fundraiser, it's hard to know where to begin.There's Jim McMurray and his crew, of course. And Taz's BP donated hot dogs for us to sell and gas cards to raffle. WNTT promoted the auction on the air. WLMU did the same. The Claiborne Progress kept its readers up to date on our, well, progress. Local businesses posted our flyers, the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce notified their members of the upcoming event, the people of this community donated items to sell, others bought the items!

And we can't forget all the great volunteers who donated their time to help make this event a smashing success. To everyone who participated we say , "Thank YOU!"

We've come so far since we broke ground in March 2009. Yep, it's been less than a year and look at what this community has done... when people work together even impossible dreams can come true.

Auction Time - At Last! (Scroll to the end for slideshow)

It seems to have taken forever but the long-awaited auction is only two weeks away! Be sure to write this date and time on your calendar - in red - like this, Saturday, February 20 at 11:01 A.M. at the animal shelter (Rain date is March 6.)

The auction is at the shelter property in New Tazewell, behind Volunteer Knitting on Ritchie and Lewis Drive. Jim and Robin McMurray of United Country Stone Realty & Auction are donating their auctioneer services to help us get this shelter built. Thanks, Jim and Robin!

Here is a partial list of the things you'll be able to bid on. It's long but very interesting. If you read to the end, you'll be rewarded by a slide show of just some of the cool stuff people donated to the shelter for this big fundraising event. You've probably figured out by now that this auction is not to be missed!

1988 Cadillac in good running order, 1986 S-10 4wd pickup in good running order, Truck tool box , 2- 6.5 self propelled lawn mowers (almost new), other lawn mowers, weed eaters , utility trailer, class 2 bolt-on trailer hitch, used heavy steel doors, table tops, and oak tables, hay spear for tractor, 10hp Johnson outboard motor, virtually new Kirby vacuum cleaner/all attachments—sold new for $1300 , Bog Harrow, Bush Hog brand bush hog, seed sower/pull behind, Corn planter, Oliver seed drill, kiln for ceramics/china, Antiques--- furniture/metal signs, wooden chests, Set of highly collectible, 1950’s “Golden Wheat” dinner ware , Antique Hoosier kitchen cabinet w/sifters and bread drawer/ excellent condition, Couch/ antique/ excellent shape, New bathroom vanities, Suburban wood/coal stove, Antique chairs, Solid Oak cabinets, some with glass doors, Gas grill and BBQ smoker, Sewing machine, 4 sets golf clubs, Table saw, Several gallons of Pittsburg paint, Refrigerator, Kitchen cabinets, Double oven, Boating supplies and equipment, 2 bicycles...