Charity Auction!?

[Orions father]

I was drawn to Net54 from a charity auction a few years ago. I am suggesting the members do another one. I am not for or against any charity(or auction platform). Just would like to pass on our good fortune to others. Many have sold on the b/s/t not only to sell to our fellow collectors, but to save a few dollars. Ths is the time I ask to give back, no matter how small. Any suggestions?

[Abravefan11]

David,

I think it's a great idea and would be happy to help or participate.

[Browncow75]

I have an item I am willing to put up for a charity auction. If we get the ball rolling on this, feel free to email me!

Brandon

[Chicago206]

I would like to participate in this as well. Perhaps a forum-run auction format using donated cards/items from members here? I have a few nicer cards I dont mind parting with for a good cause.

[Orions father]

If there is any "elder" board member or moderator that would like to take this on, I am sure it would garner much more support.

[Abravefan11]

David -

Here's a suggestion.

1) Pick a charity. (I vote St Jude's)

2) Have members that want to participate list the cards in the B/S/T auction section with a common end date and **Charity Auction** note in the title.

3) Once the transaction is complete with each listing have the seller send one person the money.

4) Have the collector of the funds make the one contribution to the charity.

Even if participation is limited it's something and doesn't infringe upon anyone that doesn't want to participate.

[bobfreedman]

I would be willing to donate our software free of charge. We have a charity site that could be set up in minutes to host the charity auction if desired.

Bob

[slidekellyslide]

I think it should be a children's charity. (St Jude's ???) But, I think we need to make sure that ALL of the money goes to the intended target of the charity...some of these charities out there have huge overhead and costs and very little of the money actually makes it to the intended target.

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I think it should be a children's charity. (St Jude's ???)

Dan that was my thinking exactly. This board seems to be very heavy with family oriented members and a children's charity would be fitting I think.

I'm not trying to hijack David's idea but want to volunteer as much of my efforts as possible to insure that as much if not all of the money raised goes to the charity.

[Browncow75]

Is a great charity. I would definitely vote for them as the organization to donate to. Another good charity to think about that benefits children is the Ronald McDonald House. Again, please email me when everything gets set up!

Brandon
browncow75@gmail.com

[Orions father]

As I have 7 children, St. Jude's sounds great!

[kylebicking]

I organized the two previous Net54 charity auctions and would be happy to do so again. I stopped this year after politics got in the way with selecting a charity. It was just really frustrating.

I'm sure Heritage would let us sell through them again, or we can choose another auction house, or heck... B&L it up!

-Kyle

[Chicago206]

Originally Posted by kylebicking

I organized the two previous Net54 charity auctions and would be happy to do so again. I stopped this year after politics got in the way with selecting a charity. It was just really frustrating.

I'm sure Heritage would let us sell through them again, or we can choose another auction house, or heck... B&L it up!

-Kyle

Member Bob Freedman offered the auction software as a donation. By keeping this "in house" I think we can accomplish Dan's goal of 100% proceeds directly to the charity! As I have participated in a similar type of charity on the CU boards, may I make a suggestion? If all of the winning bids get sent to Leon , then he can PM the donors to send out the cards. For instance, member "x" bids (and wins) on my donated card. Member "x" then sends a money order to Leon. Leon then sends me a PM stating its ok to ship the card.

That format worked great on the CU auction. As long as Leon is willing to cash a few money orders and get a total proceeds check out to the charity.

[Chicago206]

Let me break the ice and get the goodwill ball rolling. I will commit the following lot to the 2010 Net 54 Charity auction.

Offered here is a 4 card T206 lot featuring a beautiful pair of American Beauty 350 backs as well as a Sovereign 150, and a highly sought after Carolina Brights. Although the Carolina Brights card does suffer serious paper loss, it presents well and would be a nice filler for the beginners collection.
Opening Bid $100....Estimate $300+

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by kylebicking

I organized the two previous Net54 charity auctions and would be happy to do so again. I stopped this year after politics got in the way with selecting a charity. It was just really frustrating.

I'm sure Heritage would let us sell through them again, or we can choose another auction house, or heck... B&L it up!

-Kyle

Hi Kyle,

If you'll organize this, and the Net54 lot is again part of an auction house's auction (which will help ensure the most possible money is raised), I'm on board again. Please keep us posted.

[Leon]

I will help and utilize the board any way possible to help. I will also donate to the cause. Just let me know what ya'll want to do. Very nice gesture by all involved. St.Judes or anything to help children is always good. best regards

[kylebicking]

I feel the best way to do it is to have one or two large lots in an actual auction, versus selling multiple individually donated groups on the board. I'd imagine that the charity auctions in the past with REA and HA generated a lot of web hits to Net54... and being linked helped generate some very substantial bids. The REA lot sold for a lot of money.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by kylebicking

I feel the best way to do it is to have one or two large lots in an actual auction, versus selling multiple individually donated groups on the board. I'd imagine that the charity auctions in the past with REA and HA generated a lot of web hits to Net54... and being linked helped generate some very substantial bids. The REA lot sold for a lot of money.

Since we are using Net54 to get it going I would like to use one of our sponsor advertisers to do this. I am sure if I consult with any of them they will be willing to help. Maybe we pick one of them that has an auction in the next few months and go from there? I am open to any suggestions though, not just this one. regards

ps...I am not so concerned about web hits to Net54, we get quite a few already. I am more concerned about getting the most money we can to donate to a good cause.

[oldjudge]

Leon--Why not see if you can get the lot included in one of the live auctions at the National. BTW, I will contribute also.

[kylebicking]

Hey Leon... I didn't mean to come across that web hits are important, but its a nice free perk out of the whole ordeal. I 100% agree that the charity is the #1 priority in every auction's case.

If you wouldn't mind consulting with the current advertisers, find an upcoming auction that will give us through the end of May to collect, catalogue and ship to the auction house, that would be great.

-Kyle

[jcmtiger]

My son is a Director at St Jude Hospital in Memphis TN, I can call him to see how the money should be sent to that organization. His responsibilities are to raise Money for St. Jude. His office is at the Hospital in Memphis. LMK if you want me to do this.


I am going golfing right now, so I won't be reading any emails until later in the day.
Joe

[jim]

i have some material to add to the bounty; drop me a line and i will keep an eye on this post to help.
jim

[wake.up.the.echoes]

..but I'll gladly add it to the lot. Keep me in the loop/on the mailing list.

Alan

[Leon]

Hey Jay
That is a good idea about the live auction. The only thing with that is that it's still over 3 mos away. It is certainly an option.

Joe- we might take you up on your offer to get us in touch with your son at St.Judes, once it is decided that that is the choice. I don't want to be a ball hog here.....so it's up to our whole community. I just did a quick look at the St.Judes websites....wow, if you want to shed a tear hop on over there. There are certainly different charities but there just can't be a "better" one, at least not in my mind.

Please keep the feedback flowing in this thread.....

[Rob D.]

I would shy away from the Legendary/National live auction idea. I think the Net54 lot would get lost in the shuffle with all of the high-priced headliners that typically comprise that auction. It's just the wrong venue.

Plus, because it's a live auction, I think you'd lose a lot of potential bidders. Even though folks who don't attend can place bids, we've had numerous threads in which collectors have expressed hesitancy at bidding in live auctions that they don't attend.

Finally, because many board members previously have expressed their intent never to do business with Legendary/Mastro given the company's history, why go that route when there are plenty of less-controversial auction houses?

I think Huggins & Scott would be a good fit if they're willing. Many of their lots are similar to the type we'd be putting together.

[nebboy]

St.Judes would be my #1 choice - well worth a donation form me

[Browncow75]

Goodwin has an auction planned for July, perhaps Bill would host a "mini auction" for donations from Net54 prior to the main auction? Either that or just a few combo lots of our donations in the main July auction. Just throwing out ideas!

Brandon

[oldjudge]

Rob--Heritage is also having a live auction at the National. I'm not married to the idea. I just have seen the live bidding and, once the bar is open, bidding gets spirited (sorry!).

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Rob--Heritage is also having a live auction at the National. I'm not married to the idea. I just have seen the live bidding and, once the bar is open, bidding gets spirited (sorry!).

Didn't know Heritage was having one, too.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Didn't know Heritage was having one, too.

I saw Chris Ivy yesterday and he says they have some great stuff already, for their live auction. I think the planned date is the same day as the Legendary Live Auction. Maybe there is a shuttle that can take us back and forth between the two? I will be needing a designated driver.

[scottglevy]

I will contribute as well. Let's choose an auction that begins and ends somewhat soon so that we keep positive momentum.

-Scott