By Sue Tiffin

Published May 11 2017

A full house came out to support Ducks Unlimited at the 12th annual conservation dinner and charity auction in Minden on May 5.

Two hundred and forty tickets were sold for the event which brought community members together for the conservation organization.

“It’s a pretty great night every year” said organizer Mike Hamilton.

Guests were treated to cocktails and a social gathering before a buffet dinner.

“We’re here because we believe in the mission of Ducks Unlimited” said guest Klara Oyler who was laughing and joking alongside friend Jerry Walker while guests mingled.

Live and silent auctions included sporting equipment artwork and novelty items like a remote control zamboni cooler all intended to raise funds for wetland conservation.

Although a final tally wasn’t available for press time last year’s banquet in Minden raised more than $26000. The Minden banquet was the 10th highest-grossing chapter in Ontario beating out events in larger areas like Ottawa and Lindsay.

“In a small town you put 240 people in a room for conservation and that says a lot about the community” said Kevin Townsend manager of events and volunteer relations for the south central district of Ducks Unlimited.

Townsend presented a Volunteer Champions award to Minden for being the 2016 regional chapter of the year.

But the night wasn’t all about raising money for conservation efforts. A refinished 1960s Minto cedar wood canoe bookshelf made by Brian Hamilton was auctioned off to support local teen Ryan Prentice currently undergoing rehabilitation as he recovers from a spontaneous brain hemorrhage from an undetected venous malformation. The winning bid was $1500 made by Cheryl Patterson-Smith. Combined with donations from a jar attendees at the event raised just over $2620 to support Prentice and his family.