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Online bidding has been a good initiative for the Young Fellows TV Auction, as many bids for their annual fundraiser come in before the actual auction day. The 54th annual TV Auction will be held on Saturday, April 30 at the Weyburn Comprehensive from noon to 8 p.m.

"We are really happy about the investment in online bidding, as it has helped us to continue to make the TV auction into a profitable project," said Justin Arendt, chair of the TV Auction. All the funds raised at the auction are contributed back into the community, and have ensured the Young Fellows keep their commitments to the Water Spray Park, the Weyburn Leisure Centre outdoor pool, and other needs in Weyburn.

Nearly 500 items from businesses and organizations in Weyburn and area will be up for bidding, which can be done in person at the auction, by phone, or online at www.youngfellowsclub.ca. The auction will be aired live on Access Communications on Channel 7, and it will also be streamed live online.

Links to the live streaming, or online bidding are available at the Young Fellows website at www.youngfellowsclub.ca. All information about the auction, including the hundred of items available, can be found on the pull-out wrap included with the April 23 issue of the Booster.

Some of the priceless items that will be featured this year include an autographed Olympic gold medalist Jon Montgomery print, with Olympic red mittens; a Calgary Flames jersey autographed by former player Lanny McDonald; an autographed baseball from Aaron Hill of the Toronto Blue Jays, with a certificate of authenticity; an autographed and framed Darian Durant Rider jersey; and a Tricone bronzed drill bit.

Nearly 50 Young Fellows will be assisting with the auction, behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Four large screens will be set up on stage to keep track of the bids in real time. Whenever a bid is place, the particular prize will flash for a second before changing to that new bid. Items are also going to be on auction at particular times, according to their prize values, with the big ticket items being sold last.

This will allow bid winners to pick up their item as soon as that section is finished selling. This first stage of items will be sold by 5 p.m., the second stage at 6:30 p.m., and the third stage and priceless items are sold by 8 p.m. The Comp will be open past 8 p.m. to allow for pickup of the last stage of items.

"We really encourage bidders to collect their items as soon as they know they have won," said Arendt. He added that methods of payment accepted at the TV Auction include debit, cheque and cash, but not credit card.

The YF Wives will have a concession on site for those residents who are interested in staying on-site at the TV auction to watch their bids.

When the Young Fellows first established their major fundraiser of an auction, it initially started on the radio, and then evolved to TV, and in 2009 had expanded to Internet bids in addition to being aired live on TV.