Jenna Ascuncion, a staff member at Macdonald Realty’s Vancouver West office, holds the $3,000 loaf of bread that was auctioned off by Will McKitka, right.

Macdonald Realty and Macdonald Commercial of Vancouver recently held its annual Christmas party and fundraiser and enjoyed the holiday revelry while giving back to the community in a fun and somewhat unusual manner. The annual auction had some unique and unexpected donations this year, not the least of which was a simple loaf of French bread that sold for more than $3,000! Veteran Westside Realtor Will McKitka acted as company auctioneer.

This year’s beneficiaries were the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and the Vancouver Hospice Society, which is midway through the drive to raise $4.5 million for a soon-to-be built West Side hospice.

Other notable auction lots sold were being a fireman for a day, a weekend cooking with Vancouver celebrity chef Michel Jacob of Le Crocodile, and a private four-course meal prepared by Eduardo Diaz De Lion of Polanco Catering.

The event raised over $25,000. In the past 10 years, the companies have raised over $200,000 for a variety of charities during the annual party.