Big Hairy Audacious Success!

March 12, 2008 — 

The 2008 AASV Foundation Auction was a huge success surpassing even Rod Johnson's optimistic forecast!

The auction committee, chaired by Rod Johnson and Warren Wilson, established a goal of raising $50,000 to support Foundation programs during the 2008 auction at the AASV Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Association members, friends and allied industries rallied to the cause and donated over 60 items for the auction. But, success or failure rested on whether or not you, the members of the association, would show up and open your wallets.

That question was answered in an astounding way on Monday night. You showed up in record numbers to participate in both the silent and live auction. Tom Burkgren threw his auctioneering skills into high gear (even sucking on limes to "crisp up his voice") and you responded.

When it was all said and done, the Foundation raised over $70,000!

One of the highlights of the evening was the auctioning of a handmade quilt presented to the Foundation by Mary Ann Curran in memory of her husband and AASV member Dr. Bernie Curran. The quilt was purchased by a consortium of members for over $8000 and returned to Mary Ann for her and her family to enjoy.

It was a lot of fun, and a lot of hard work, but well worth it. Special thanks go to those who worked behind the scenes including Sue, Pat, Karen, Tracy and Tina for organizing the items and collecting the monies. And a super special thank you to Lee Schulteis. Lee was responsible for driving the van loaded with all the auction items and meeting materials 30 hours from the office in Perry and then helping to move the items around, pack them back up and drive them all back to Perry to be shipped out or picked up.

The Foundation would especially like to thank everyone who donated items or made a financial contribution to support the auction. And, most of all, thanks to each of you that participated and made the night a huge success!