There are now over 252 items, valued at over $44,000, for the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce online and live auctions! Up for bid in early October will be many exciting products, getaways and services from hundreds of businesses and organizations. All money raised supports our mission of promoting the interests of our members by advocating for the commercial and economic development of the region.

On October 8 at 8am, the “doors” will open to our auction, which will take place online at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  The online auction bidding will run from October 8 at 8am through October 29 at 9pm, with about 100 items heading to a live auction on Friday, November 2 at the Rockland Elks Lodge, located at 210 Rankin Street in Rockland.  There will be live auction items, cash raffle prizes, raffle items, cash bar and a concession stand.  Bruce & Becky Gamage will be our auctioneer team.

Thank you to our sponsors:  Gamage Antiques, Courier Publications (The Courier Gazette & The Camden Herald), Bangor Metro, The Coastal Journal, The Free Press, Global Packing & Shipping, Country Inn @ Camden/Rockport and Mainebiz. Thank you to our $100 Cash raffle prize donors for the live event: Bruce Gamage-Gamage Antiques, Peter Horch-Horch Roofing, Kevin Waters-Penobscot Island Air,  Michael Jones-Camden National Bank and James W. Brannan.

The live auction items will be clearly identified on the web site and absentee bidding will be available for those that cannot attend the live event. Members of the public can participate by going to www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  Using software provided by BiddingForGood Inc., an organization with a focus on serving non-profit organizations, and thanks to the generosity of donors, we will be assembling an exciting catalog of hundreds of auction items over the next few months.

Items up for bid include business services, artwork, unique experiences, travel, lodging packages, dining, recreational activities, gift baskets, train rides, boat trips, festival tickets, landscaping supplies and much, much more.

The newest postings of items include services, overnight stays, sailing and more:

KDK, LLC - Apparel Printing & Embroidery - $25 gift certificate

Pen Bay Women's Imaging - 2 screening digital mammograms

Home Kitchen Cafe - four $25 gift certificates (you simply have to try their lobster tacos, yum!)

Maine Women's Network - membership for one year

G.P.I. Custom Framing - five, $50 gift certificates

Judith Grossman Decorating - $200 gift certificate

Port Clyde Fresh Catch - $30 gift certificate

Dot's - $25 gift certificate

Bella Luna Toys - $25 gift certificate

The Ash Point Inn, Owls Head - weekend package from January - June 15, $300 value

Bufflehead Sailing Charters - 2 hour sail for up to 6 people, $240 value

Rockland Ford Lincoln - auto detailing (interior & exterior)

Blue Newt Landscape Designs - gardening, landscape or design construction or organic coaching, $100 gift certificate

Authentic Pilates - private one hour session, $55 value (3 of them)

Because of You Bridal & Special Events Boutique - $25 gift certificate

The Offshore Restaurant, Rockport - 2 - $20 gift certificates

Village Ice Cream & Bakery - $40 gift certificate

Island Inn, Monhegan Island - one nights accommodation

Everyone is welcome to browse, shop, or just drop by and sign our guest book to show their support for our auction at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.

Donations are being accepted from now through September – simply log on to the site and click on the “Donate Now” button or you can call the Rockland Chamber office (Shari Closter) with your donation at 596-0376.  Users can also contribute to the auction’s success by using the “Tell A Friend” button on the website.

For more information about getting involved, contact Shari Closter, Acting Director/Director of Operations at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber, PO Box 508, One Park Drive, Rockland, ME 04841;  207-596-0376, ext. 22; or shari@penbaychamber.com; www.mainedreamvacation.com.