All 102 nutcrackers auctioned off last month fulfilled their purpose of spreading cheer and supporting local charities.
For the month of November, Sharron Riley-Persson, an avid nutcracker collector and resource development director at Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph had donated much of her nutcracker collection to the Rotary Club of Guelph South so they can raise funds for Habitat for Humanity WDG and Food4Kids.
Riley-Persson said the auction of 102 nutcrackers — initially planned for 101— raised $8,600 out of which $4,000 will go towards Habitat for Humanity and the remainder to local charities the Rotary Club of Guelph South supports.
“It was absolutely over the top. We’re just thrilled and thrilled,” said Riley-Persson adding that the community response and excitement were absolutely amazing as they came to pick up their winning bids in the first week of December.
She said she spent about 10 hours just writing the history of each one of the 102 nutcrackers for the purchasers so they know the story of their new wooden friends such as their age and origin. She even wrote personalized notes for some purchasers.
As an avid collector of nutcrackers, Riley-Persson said she understands how valuable this information is for collectors and was surprised at how many people collecting the winning bids were collectors themselves.
“I couldn't believe how many nutcracker collectors we have in Guelph,” said Riley-Persson.
“Honestly I have to tell you, I’m still smiling about it.”
Riley-Persson said the entire experience with Merlin the nutcracker going around town, auctioning off each nutcracker, and connecting with the community brought the joy of Christmas to the city which is exactly what she had hoped for.
“We’re going to send a thank you to all the purchasers because we have all their email addresses so that way we can keep in touch with them all,” said Riley-Persson.
“I, from a personal perspective really want to as well because it would be nice to pull up some pictures of the wooden guys and gals.”
Community members had a chance to have one of the nutcrackers, Merlin the magician, and his bodyguard in their garden for a photo-op leading up to the end of the auction.
“He traveled for the entire month, Merlin and Charles to various places,” laughed Riley-Persson. “Everywhere from Elora to Toronto to Mississauga, you name it.”
The participant who took the photo with the highest number of likes on the Rotary Guelph South Nutcrackers page won Merlin the magician and also purchased another Merlin the magician from the auction.
“That’s the mother who posted and posted, and re-posted and so she won Merlin,” laughed Riley-Persson.
“She was overjoyed.”
Riley-Persson said while she kept a few nutcrackers to herself, she is happy that the remainder went to good homes and for a good cause, even leaving a lot of space now in her home.
“We would have been tripping over them.,” said Riley-Persson.
“I don’t miss them because they’re in such great, great homes and that's why I hung out and wanted to meet everybody because of the smiles and the stories.”
Riley-Persson said she is going to hold another auction on Valentine's Day for two more nutcrackers.
