Auction delivers fun, funds for research and education: Fall 2012

Return to Table of Contents – Fall 2012

A record number of bidders packed the house for the Raise Your Hand for Research Auction at the Portland Doubletree Hotel on August 13, competing for excursions to Italy, Africa, New York State, California and lots of places in between. A vintage rifle, a custom wooden bike and a powerful crossbow added interest to the catalog, and auctioneer Graham Crow kept the energy high and the crowd engaged.

Jenny Arkett of Gibsonia, PA, invested $100 in a “golden” raffle ticket and took home a weeklong photo safari for two to Africa. Bruce Fraedrich of SC, Kacey Burke of WA and Mike Dougherty of KS shared a $4,800 windfall in the Split the Pot Raffle, and Connie Chisholm of NJ turned a $20 TREE Fund bandana into a new iPad playing “Heads or Tails”. 2012’s live and silent auctions took in nearly $90,000 for the TREE Fund and set a new standard for fun and excitement.

TREE Fund Trustee and veteran auction volunteer Wendy Robinson knows a few things about auctions. “The TREE Fund Auction in Portland had something for everyone….wine tastings, raffles, the Heads or Tails game and, of course, the bidding on all those great auction items. ISA was a great host, and our auctioneer kept things moving and kept everyone entertained. What a great evening!”