The collecting and organizing for the 50th annual TV Auction is well underway by the Young Fellows Club of Weyburn, said event chairman Scott Paxman.

The club's biggest fundraiser of the year is slated to be held on Saturday, April 14 at the Weyburn Curling Rink, and will start an hour earlier this year, going from noon to 9 p.m.

"Collection nights are on track with last year. We've had a very good response with the collection from businesses. We're getting a lot of positive response about our water spray park, and a lot of people have increased what they normally donate," said Paxman.

With the bigger venue of the Curling Rink this year, the Young Fellows will have the Royal Regina Rifles on hand with a static display of some of their combat gear and equipment.

In addition, one of the "priceless" TV Auction items are from the Rifles reserves unit, namely to be "soldier for a day". The winning bidder will be given the opportunity to spend the day at the training centre in Dundurn and participate in war games and exercises for a day.

Another highlight from the donations so far is a new two-stage high efficiency furnace worth some $4,000, donated by B May Plumbing. There are also such items as oilfield tubing and gift certificates from many area businesses, along with memberships in the golf club, curling club and Red Wings.

A new feature this year as well, still in the "experimental stages", will be to have the auction items available to view on-line the Internet, although bids still have to be either phoned in or given in person at the Curling Rink.

If any businesses have been missed in the canvassing by Young Fellows members, they are asked to give Paxman a call, as the last collection night for the auction will Thursday, March 29.