When it comes to raising money for charities, few nonprofits have enjoyed as much success as the Oakland Beach Fire Club Women’s Auxiliary.

 And that, officials from important agencies such as Adopt-A-Family, Food Bank(s), Cancer Society and Gianna Cirella Memorial Foundation just to name a few will readily attest, is because while the Women’s Auxiliary may be small numbers members are huge in hearts.

 Further proof came on a recent rainy Saturday morning inside the red-brick Fire Barn – as the watering hole that’s located at 645 Oakland Beach Avenue in Warwick is known -- during a unique chopsticks auction.

 Chopsticks auction?

“People purchase a pair of chopsticks,” Robin Sweeney, who chaired the extraordinary event, was saying as people scooted into the Fire Barn amid a downpour of rain. “One (set) goes to the patron and the other is placed in a barrel for the auction.”

 Sweeney then pointed out while welcoming many women who made up a standing room only crowd: “People can purchase as many (chopsticks) as they like.”

 Each chopstick is numbered and patrons are allowed to pick a special number after which the barrel is rolled and whatever number comes out and that person has the number, they win that prize. After that, the chopstick is returned to the barrel and people have many chances to win.”

This chopsticks auction, though, was in a class of its own, as Sweeny said with a special smile on her face: “We had a total of 166 prizes.”

 And, as Sweeney – and guests concurred -- that list included many high-end items that Auxiliary President Holly Swift explained were donated by OBVF members and many area businesses in help the auxiliary’s mission of helping people and groups in need.

There were countless gift certificates ranging in value from $25 to $100, a two-burner griddle with kitchen utensils, wine baskets, three-piece queen comforter, waffle maker with mix, tabletop charcoal grill, Moet champagne with crystal gobblers, custom Swarovski earrings and necklaces, shark vacuum and electric leaf blower, just to name a few of the prizes.

 The Fire Ban was packed with wall-to-wall prizes which were displayed on eight-foot-long banquet tables yet there was still seating at other tables where people sat and enjoyed a special lunch menu ranging from grilled cheese sandwiches with fries to hot dogs to tuna melts, chicken salad and even stuffies.

 The day also included a 50/50 raffle, lottery (ticket) tree and liquor basket raffle during the event.

 When asked how long it took to put the Chopsticks Auction together, Sweeney replied: “We started collecting items in the spring and making different themed baskets. Also, a huge THANK YOU to many, many local businesses for their generous support and our members whose countless donations will enable us to make donations to various charitable groups throughout the year.”