Residents bid on fun
at Watermelon Picnic
and Auction
Friday, June 8, 2007 -- Jason Thompson
Janelle Tulloch says the Watermelon Picnic Auction at Selby’s Village Green Nursing Home was a little livelier than events typically held at the home.

“I think everybody enjoyed it. I was more than pleased with the response and the volunteers were happy as well,” says Tulloch, a restorative care aid and volunteer co-ordinator at Village Green.

Tulloch estimates about 30 of the home’s 66 residents attended the event May 28. Residents were given $200 in Monopoly money to bid on a number of donated items such as jewelry, honey, gift baskets, videos and stuffed toys to name a few.

“It gives them a sense of control of their own money,” she says, adding some residents chose not to spend anything.

As the residents arrived, cookies, watermelon, squares and punch was served as the crowd eyed the items on the auction table. Cardboard cut-outs painted to resemble watermelon slices were given to residents to serve as auction paddles.

The event nearly went off the rails when the volunteer auctioneer called in sick but a reluctant Tulloch took on the role.

“At first it was a bit awkward then I found that the more I put into it, the more confident the crowd felt,” Tulloch says.

When the bidding began, Tulloch says it was fast and furious as volunteers showed off the items and helped the residents make change. She says the event is one the residents still remember.

The picnic and auction was so successful, Tulloch says she has been asked to make it an annual or semi-annual event.

Perhaps a pumpkin-style event could be held in the fall, she says, adding with the core of volunteers she has, anything is possible.