The NWT Disabilities Council held its 40th Annual Benefit Auction at Chateau Nova on Friday night.

The free event had live and silent auctions, music, games and prizes for costumes, with 20 per cent of the proceeds going to the YWCA to support families affected by the Rockhill Fire.

Some of the items up for auction included gift baskets, art and gift certificates to local businesses, and the evening's highest bid was $3,400 for a diamond pendant from Diavik.

About 300 people attended this year's auction but with the recent fire and the various fundraising events for it, a lot of people have directed their money towards the YWCA, said Denise McKee, executive director of the NWT Disabilities Council.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut when you have a large community emergency or crisis like this we have to all come together and be a community and that's what the North does,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee.

About $5,500 of the funds raised at the Friday night auction will go to the YWCA to support the families affected by the fire.

This year's benefit auction raised a total of $27,500, which is down about $10,000 from last year's event, said McKee.

SA国际影视传媒淲e've taken a big hit with the city withdrawing funding from our summer experience program,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Although the need for the program is still growing, $25,000 of funding is now gone, she said.

Through the program, the NWT Disabilities Council provides individualized support to children with identified barriers to attend summer camp in Yellowknife and NSA国际影视传媒橠ilo.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were already making up a big portion because we try never to leave a family behind or without support,SA国际影视传媒� said McKee.

Despite these recent setbacks, McKee said Friday's event was a success.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody who came had an amazing time, we were able to raise awareness,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e think it's a success.SA国际影视传媒�