The Newcastle Bonus Auction, an annual community event which assists the Newcastle FFA and 4-H students with the cost of their livestock projects, is fast approaching.
This year’s auction is at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Newcastle Fair Barn on Main Street. The public is invited.
The students participating in this livestock show and auction must meet certain academic criteria for grades and animal management. Many of these students have shown their animals in state and national competitions representing the community, the school and the Newcastle FFA and 4-H chapters.
Local sponsors bid on these animals to provide a “Bonus” to the students. Ownership is not transferred, but the successful bidders are invited to take a photograph with the student and their animal after the auction.
The photograph is presented to the buyer at the Appreciation Dinner.
A Livestock Show, prior to the auction, will determine which animals qualify for the auction and their relative placement in the sale. The Livestock Show is at 7 p.m. Monday, February 19 at the Fair Barn.
Although all students don’t make the sale, all participants are awarded for their work. Additional funds are sought for these students who show, but do not make the final auction list.
All contributors will receive an invitation for the special Appreciation Dinner to be announced and held later in the spring.
WHY SUPPORT THE BONUS AUCTION?
As a person concerned about the community of Newcastle, you understand the importance of having the best educational opportunities for our young people. These opportunities often extend beyond the classroom. The competitive livestock exhibition program is an excellent example of this.
The FFA and 4-H programs provide experiences in a wide range of areas including: animal care, livestock evaluation and selection, feed management, teamwork, responsibility, goal setting, communication skills, and pride in a job well done.
All of these teach students to be effective leaders in our community. These wellrounded students are our future valued employees.
Your participation in this annual event will assure the ongoing success of this special community event. The money raised assists our students in maintaining the excellence of these projects.
Furthermore, the Newcastle Livestock Booster Club is a 501(c)(3) organization, which allows your contribution to be tax deductible.
In today’s environment, one of the exceptional advantages to being a student at Newcastle is the support and patronage nourished by the activities such as the Newcastle Bonus Auction. With your commitment and participation you assure this opportunity will be here for not only the current, but also the future Newcastle FFA and 4-H students.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Again, the Newcastle Bonus Auction will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, in the Newcastle Fair Barn on Main Street. The Livestock Show at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024, will determine which animals qualify for the sale and the order they will sell.
Animals to be “auctioned off” include beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits, depending on the number of participants.
You will enjoy participating in the auction by bidding and hopefully become the successful “buyer” for that animal. You can also support this auction by providing “add-on” bonuses for any of these students. The total amount of the add-ons can equal or even exceed the amount of the live bid for the animal.
You do not have to be present at the auction to bid or add on to a student. You can pledge to any booster club member your support for a formal bid or add-on.
Everyone benefits from the Bonus Auction, but being there and joining in the excitement of a live auction lets you interact with the students, making the event much more special and fun!
The Booster Club said they would love to see you there, and the students enjoy seeing you, as well. If you cannot be present and would like to donate, please mail your donation to PO Box 158, Newcastle, OK 73065.
CONCESSION SALES BENEFIT STUDENTS The Newcastle Parents’ Club will staff a concession stand during the Bonus Auction; however, this year there will be a limited offering due to safety protocol. The profits made from the concession stand sales help pay expenses of the students, provide scholarships, and purchase equipment needed during the school year.
