HIGH POINT – Members of Furnitureland Rotary hope to live up to their club’s name – and even better it – with a benefit auction Thursday.

The annual auction generally nets a hefty amount to support local community service groups. Last year’s auction raised approximately $20,000, said Barry Kitley, auction chairman.

Furniture donated for the auction by local manufacturers and retailers traditionally makes up a large part of what is raised each year, but organizers are trying to diversity their offerings.

This year’s auction still includes plenty of furniture, but it also has items for those cutting costs or people with no room in their homes for more furniture, Kitley said.

The live and silent auctions offer gift baskets, tickets to events such as Carolina Panthers home games, dinners catered at homes, signed sports and NASCAR memorabilia, vacation retreats, hunting and fishing trips and even an orthodontic package. A raffle provides the chance to win cash prizes or a vehicle from Ilderton Dodge Chrysler Jeep.

“They’re still going to get a wonderful deal on case goods and upholstered goods, but we’ve diversified and expanded offerings in addition to furniture,” Kitley said.

Part of the auction’s success comes from friendly rivalry among the 55 club members. “There’s lots of motivation factors, in terms of who can say, ‘Hey, I’ve got this ticket,’ or, ‘Hey, I’ve got this item,’ ” Kitley said.

Kitley can make one such boast about an auction package he secured: a tour of Fort Bragg led by an Iraq war veteran and dinner at the Officers’ Club for four. The package also includes tours of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, the Golden Knights Museum and the 82nd ABN DIV Museum.

Another special package is a home consultation visit by Natalie Norcross and Associates, valued at $500, that comes with a suite of furniture.

“So with a suite of furniture, you get a personal home decorator to come to your house and set your room up. That’s unique to our auction,” Kitley said.

All the money raised at the club’s annual auctions goes to community groups, and none fund club activities, Kitley said. Each year the club gives approximately $35,000 to local nonprofit groups.

Mobile Meals is the largest recipient, and since 1983, the club has contributed more than $300,000 to the group that delivers meals to people unable to get out or prepare meals for themselves.

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