PARIS — The two largest service clubs in the Oxford Hills have again combined forces for their giant auction, the biggest fund-raising event of the year.

The preview begins at 3 p.m. Friday, July 8, and the auction at 4 p.m. under the big tent at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

For the 11th year, the Oxford Hills Rotary and the Norway-Paris Kiwanis clubs are sharing energy, manpower and resources for the huge effort that provides much of the money the clubs raise to fund their community service projects.

“Every cent that is raised at the auction goes back into the community service efforts,” said Sarah Glynn, past president and last year’s chairwoman of the event for Kiwanis. “We bridge the gap for so many programs that are hurting for money. It’s a way to feed back the donations into the community for things we need.”

For several years the two clubs had been running separate auctions over the summer. Finally, Bob Bizier sat down with then Rotary President Curtis Cole and agreed that hitting the same businesses twice for donations was counterproductive. Under the new arrangement, the groups combined the workload and split the profits. Businesses are only asked once.

Again, this year’s economy is affecting solicitations. Companies that might have given a $50 gift certificate are only giving $25, “but they’re still giving,” Glynn said, noting that it takes the efforts of the entire community to make the event a success.

“We did get Red Sox tickets again, which is an especially popular item that draws a lot of interest to the auction,” she said. Bessey Motors has again donated a car, a 2003 Dodge Stratus. Two years ago, Bizier donated a camper that was a big draw to the auction.

“We’re looking for quality items that will bring the people out,” said Cindy Hakala, Kiwanis event chairwoman.

Bulky items such as stoves and appliances are no longer accepted. The clubs have had the best success with estate donations and storage containers that people no longer wish to rent.

Glynn and Hakala agree that the best thing the clubs did was to combine their efforts.

“We work well with Rotary, better than any other Kiwanis club in New England that I know of,” Glynn affirmed. “We have a fabulous relationship because our members recognize that we’re all here for the same reason, we’re all here for the community and we’re all here for the kids. Working together makes it a better project and makes it more fun.”

Kiwanis will hold its popular pancake breakfast under the same tent on July 10, the Sunday directly after the auction while Rotary holds its annual lobster bake in early August.

Professional auctioneer Paul Arsenault is again lending his talents to the cause. The auction runs until 10 p.m. Friday or until all the items are gone. The Flea Market starts at 4 p.m. Friday and runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and during Sunday’s breakfast.

For the second year in a row, a separate “ticket auction” will be held Friday evening featuring gift bags and certificates to bid on. There will be an intermission in the auction to give everyone a chance to bid.

To have items picked up, contact Kiwanians Phil Corneliusen at either 743-6250 or 627-7151 or Arnold Weeks at 743-5793. On the Rotary side, call Jack Richardson at 462-8607 or Curtis Cole at 461-3380.

Kiwanis sponsors two youth organizations: Key Club at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and Builders Club at the Oxford Hills Middle School. Rotary sponsors an Interact Club at the high school and honors students of the month there while Kiwanis honors the SAD 17 employee of the month.

In addition, Kiwanis supports Christmas For Kids, Project Rightstart, which it founded, the Child Health Center, Camp Susan Curtis and Project Graduation, among dozens of other community programs.

Some of the Rotary-sponsored projects are Mittens For Kids, Lobster Feed and Clambake, Holiday Food Baskets, Toys For Kids, Student of the Month and local scholarships. Rotary also supports Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Camp Sunshine, Camp Susan Curtis and the Child Health Center, among others.