AASV Foundation Holds Successful 2011 Auction

April 6, 2011 — 

Fun and good-times were had by all at the AASV Foundation annual fund-raising auction in Phoenix, Arizona. Combined, the silent and live auctions raised approximately $65,529 to support Foundation programs including student travel stipends, research projects, scholarships, student externships, summer internships, awards and other opportunities to enhance the personal and professional aspects of swine veterinary medicine. The Foundation thanks all who donated items and participated in the auction by bidding.

A new addition to this year's auction was the raffling of a piggy bank donated by auction chair Dr Warren Wilson. Attendees purchased chances to guess the value of the coins contained in the bank. Dr Wilson had been collecting coins in the bank since he graduated from veterinary school shall we say "a few years ago." The raffle raised $650 and was won by Dr Joe Connor who guessed the exact value of the coins at $25.

Just like a bad penny, last year's pig tie showed up again. This time Dr Larry Rueff, who bought the tie last year, offered it up for sale, and Dr. Jim Bradford won the bidding contest at $575. To enhance the value of his purchase, Jim had Larry sign the tie. Something tells me that's not the last we've seen of that tie. Another highlight of the evening was the introduction of AASV Foundation rookie auctioneer Shamus Brown. Brown, a student at the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, showed his auctioneer style as he energized the crowd and shared the duties with veteran auctioneer Dr Tom Burkgren.

Without a doubt, the auction has been the major fundraiser for the foundation. It's also been a fun-filled social event for attendees at the annual meeting. 2011 was no different. The largest purchase of the evening went to Mrs. Nancy Olsen. She purchased a Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. Touring ATV, donated by PIC, for $7000. The second-largest purchase of the evening was made by Dr Randy Simonson with Newport Laboratories -- $5900 for four box seats at Lambeau Field for an upcoming Minnesota Vikings/Green Bay Packers regular season football game. The silent auction, which concluded during the Monday night reception, raised $16,154. Some of the unique items included a couple of early 1900's pig weathervanes donated by Fairmont Veterinary Clinic and two handmade American Girl Doll outfits donated by Jill Kolb. The doll outfits brought over $50 each! The electronic items also fared well including an Apple iPad and Bose headphones and Music-To-Go package.

It's also worth noting that you don't necessarily have to be present to participate in the auction. Dr Paul Armbrecht submitted his bids to the AASV office before departing on a trip to Russia. He netted six of the nine items he bid on. So, there's no excuse for not participating.

A special thanks goes to the ring men: Kent Andersen, Shamus Brown, Tom Burkgren, Howard Hill, Darrell Neuberger, Daryl Olsen, David Reeves, Max Rodibaugh, and John Waddell, who kept the bids coming; and the following whose behind-the-scenes and front-end help were invaluable: Pat Banwart, Karen Richardson, Lee Schulteis, Sue Schulteis, Tina Smith, and Harry Snelson.

Dr Warren Wilson, chair of the AASV Foundation, is already planning for next year. He thought about retiring but he's been challenged to stay on as chair until we have a $100,000 auction. So, there's our "Mile High" challenge for 2012 in Denver - let's set a record so Warren can retire!

The AASV Foundation is grateful to everyone who participated in the 2011 live and silent fundraising auctions. Each bid makes a difference! We are pleased to recognize and thank the following successful bidders who purchased one or more items at the auction:

Matt Anderson, Amy Anderson Vali, Paul Armbrecht, Andrea Baker, Bayer Animal Health, Jim Bradford, Shamus Brown, Tom Burkgren, Paisley Canning, Paula Cray, Scanlon Daniels, Neil DeBuse, Tara Donovan, Carly Dorazio, Patrick Drone, Mark Engle, Todd Firkins, Wayne Freese, Denise Gillespie, Tom Gillespie, Doug Groth, Pat Halbur, Jeff Harker, Matt Harris, Susanne Hinkley, Tyler Holck, Lynette Holman, Erin Johnson, Jean Johnson, Rod Johnson, Randy Jones, Jeff Kaisand, Kerry Keffaber, Ross Kiehne, Ruth Loula, Jim Lowe, Aaron Lower, Rodger Main, Dale Mechler, Mitch Michalak, Mike Mull, Newport Labs, Nancy Olsen, PIC, Sarah Probst Miller, Todd Rasmussen, Max Rodibaugh, Paul Ruen, Paul Runnels, John Scamahorn, Kent Schwartz, Kenny Seidel, Mike Senn, Randy Simonson, Steve Sornsen, Angie Supple, Sarah Taylor, Tech Mix, Cathy Templeton, Lisa Tokach, Rick Tubbs, Michael Vaughn, Dennis Villani, Carol Waddell, Drew Weir, Ron White, Warren Wilson, Nate Winkleman, Teddi Wolff, and Paul Yeske.