A Recipe for Success: CAI 2010 – Cookin’ Up Fun(ds)
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital benefits from the Right Ingredients
What do you get when you mix a noble cause, proven marketing techniques, and enthusiastic auctioneers with a little risk? “……an outpouring of support from both donors and bidders. I was proud to play a part and simply overwhelmed with the passion that so many of the supporters exhibited that night,” said Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions, a member of the Certified Auctioneer Institute Benefit Auction Planning Committee 2010.
The Certified Auctioneer Institute is a 3-year business development program offered by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) for auction industry professionals. Truhlar and her classmates conducted the benefit auction as part of second year assignments. The planning committee, led by Si Harbottle of Ameritex Auctions, included classmates Russ Puchalla of Heartland Auction Co., Rusty Lane of John Dixon & Associates, Rafe Dixon of J.R. Dixon Auctions, Troy Hall of Hall Auction & Realty, Truhlar, and class advisor Traci Ayers Dower of Ayers Auction & Real Estate.
A record-breaking $47,250 was raised at the auction. The event was organized in less than two months through weekly teleconferences with the planning committee and active collaboration in an open forum with the extended class through a Facebook group. “Great communication, intense desire, significant know-how, loyal sponsors, and teamwork were the ingredients of this auction’s success,” said Puchalla.
Creative fund raising ideas included: table sponsorships (Head Chef and Sous Chefs), valuable centerpieces, trips, ad packages, artwork and much more – all with the theme of ‘Cookin’ Up Fun(ds). The 180 guests received aprons as gifts, which were worn during the event to add to the festivities. The bidding was conducted live and on line, and the event was kept lively and entertaining with the help of two professional emcees and benefit auctioneers, Truhlar and Bill Menish of Bill Menish Auctioneers. CAI candidates from around the globe took turns selling the donated merchandise, which ranged from handcrafted items to hunting trips.
Funds raised benefited CAI education and the St. Jude’s Children Hospital. "It was an emotional moment for me to look around the room and see everyone holding up their bidder card on the $100 fund a need appeal," said Dower. Auction action stood still and the entire room fell silent while Erika Albert, a former St. Jude’s patient, spoke on behalf of the hospital to share her experience and express her appreciation.
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About Davis Auctioneers
Davis Auctioneers is family owned and operated and has been in business since 1988. They specialize in estates, benefits, business liquidations, and storage unit foreclosures throughout the state of Texas. In addition to live auctions, Davis Auctioneers also conducts online auctions via the internet. Luther and Dena are also licensed real estate agents. Luther resides in Burleson with his wife Dena and two sons JD and Caleb. To learn more about Luther and his services, please contact him at 817-447-9805 or visit the website at www.davisauctiontx.com.
About the NAA
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) represents the interests of thousands of auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhance the professionalism of its members through education and technology. To learn more visit auctioneers.org.