Kristie Eldringhoff was in disbelief after finding out she won the first of 86 items at the First Annual Montgomery City Lions Club Paddle Auction on the evening of Jan. 21.

The Lions Club member won a wine and chocolate basket after her No. 214 paddle was selected. The prize was donated by Knoepflein and Son’s LLC and was worth $75.

“I was shocked,” the Lions Club member said. “Then, I felt bad because I thought people were going to think it’s rigged.”

The two-hour auction, held at the Lions Club building, was a successful one as more than 60 people were in attendance. The event raised about $7,000.

“I thought it went over so well,” Eldringhoff said. “I was amazed at the support by the community. It makes it so amazing, like we’re doing good things.”

The auction raised funds to help pay the renovation costs at the Lions Club building. The organization has been working on its building for the last two months, painting the walls, fixing the ceiling, putting in new lighting and working on the bathrooms. It plans to tear down a wall to make the building handicap accessible.

Local businesses such as Yardbirds, Carter’s Automotive, Fortmann Farms, Jonesburg State Bank and Montgomery Sales donated items for the auction. Eldringhoff donated five items, including a robo sweeper and barbecue set.

“People are so gracious with giving stuff to the community,” Eldringhoff said.

In addition to the wine and chocolate basket, Eldringhoff also won a gift card from Kakes LLC. She also received a free Montgomery County FCCLA Pizza Lunch certificate from a Fulton resident who decided to give it away.

Melissa Love of Truxton won seven items, more than any other participant. She won a garden basket from Fortmann Farms, a six-hour building rental certificate from the Lions Club, a $30 gift card from Second Place Bar and Grill in Montgomery City, a tumbler cup from Calis Creations, a Dewalt tool bag from LaCrosse Lumber, a barbecue set from Peoples Savings Bank and a Kansas City Chiefs tumbler.

“I would say the barbecue set was my favorite because I needed one,” Love said.

Sharon Richardson of Tipton, who is the sister of Lions Club member Tammy Teeter, won five items. At one point of the auction, she won three items in a row.

“I loved it very much,” Richardson said.

There were also seven items in the live auction. Teeter won a pheasant hunt certificate, but later sold it to Rachel Rakers. Doug Dowling, another Lions Club member, won a quilt.

Other items in the live auction included a load of gravel, two wooden mirrors, a cooler full of beef and a certificate for wine tasting and a dinner for six.

Paddles were sold for $10 each and all-in paddles were available. There was also a 50/50 drawing at the event.