ARLINGTON — The Kiwanis Club of Arlington drew an increase in both donations and auction bidders during their annual Fourth of July auction fundraiser at Haller Park on Thursday, July 4.

“As a rough estimate, all together we probably had between 90 and 100 total donations,” said Jim Rankin, club president. Although the auction items in the past have ranged from tickets to gift baskets to hand-crafted art pieces, Rankin believes that two specific items may have drawn a special interest this time.

“This year we had two additional items we have never had before. The first one is the chicken coop made by our member Terry Marsh,” he said. “That has been a really popular item. The second thing is a wine rack, with wine in it, which Terry also built.”

The popularity of those items coupled well with a new fundraising opportunity that the club is trying out this year — sponsorships.

“We sent out sponsorship letters to businesses who don’t have a product, but they might have a service — dentists, attorneys, financial advisors. We sent those letters out saying, ‘Even though you don’t have a product, would you be willing to donate to the scholarship funds?’” said Rankin. “Between the chicken coop and the sponsorship letters, we will probably net about $2,400 and that’s all new money.”

The funds raised at the auction go toward scholarships for seniors at Arlington and Lakewood high schools. For more information visit www.kiwanisofarlington.org.