by Martha Rose Woodward
Community Television of Knoxville is bringing back its popular Holiday Gift Auction this year after suspending the event last year due to moving to the new building. This year’s auction is expected to be bigger and better than ever since the new location at 808 State Street provides more space and is more easily accessible. The live event will be held Saturday December 8 from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. when viewers can call in their bids and hope to be the one to win.
This year’s auction will also benefit the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as the funds raised will be shared with them.
Community Television is seeking items for the holiday auction and you can help. Any individual or business wanting to make a donation of goods or services, valued at $25 or more,that can be sold, can do so by phoning Kevin Jeske at 865 215 4352 or e mailing him at
Items can be in 4 categories: physical—such as: furniture, jewelry, art, musical instruments, clothing, electronics, toys and more; gift certificates—remember, any one item needs to have a value of $25 or more; tickets or passes—theatre, concerts, attractions, sporting events; and cash is always accepted.
Why are they seeking donations for Christmas and it is only March? Well, it will take them hours and hours of work to make photos of the donations, catalogue them, and load the data to their web site. Best thing about donating, they will even pick up your donations saving you the time and gas money required.
How does the auction work? First, prior to the auction, beginning 60 days before the event, on October 10, CTV will play ads that show the items up for sale. Your item will be featured for the community to view and your place of business gets the ads for free. Viewers who watch CTV are likely to see your ad hundreds of times. Where are you going to get that kind of advertising for free?
Secondly, on Saturday, December 8, beginning at 9 a.m. on Channel 6 for Knology subscribers and Channel 12 for Comcast subscribers, a live TV event will be held. Anyone who wants to place a bid on the items for sale may do so by phoning a number that will be flashing on the screen. Bidding gets to be fierce, but it is all in fun. Who will be the lucky bidder to phone before time runs out?
After a viewer wins the bid, he/she will be given a few days in which he/she can pay for the item and pick it up at the new site on 808 State Street.
Volunteers are also needed to answer the phone the day of the auction, to provide refreshments for the volunteers and to help promote the auction. Community Television allows Knox County residents the opportunity to enjoy freedom of speech. Any resident can create a program and air their views. Call 865 215 8848 to learn how.
