Back in The Saddle and Rounding up Donations

RCI-IIBEC Foundations Auction a Big Success in Phoenix

The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada held their first hybrid online and in-person auction with the theme “Back in the Saddle” at the 2021 IIBEC Convention and Trade Show. The event raised more than $44,000—with gifts and donations still coming in. During the silent auction, IIBEC members both in person and online were able to bid on items ranging from Carolina Panthers tickets to bottles of Scotch whisky, and from Charlie Brown and Friends books and stuffed animals to a Ping putter.

Highlights of the evening included Sharon Hinesley winning the Diamonds Are a Student’s Best Friend promotion; David Hawn winning the Biltmore and Convention packages in the live auction; Chip Ward winning not only the 50/50 drawing for $790 but also a VISA gift card; and Brian Gardiner winning a framed turkey feather painting of Joe Hale in the live auction.

The event wouldn’t have been possible without the many volunteers who gave their time to ensure the event was a success, including Carol Hawn, who coordinated the volunteers, as well as Linda Card, Sharon Cook, Peggy Gardiner, Bruce Hall, Liz Hall, Rebecca Hall, Sharon Hinesley, Melanie Johnson, Charlene Kidd, Sarah Makiejus, Laurie Mitchell, David Rizzo, Marie Rossiter, Brenda Ward, and Melanie Whitcomb.

Thank you to the donors of items for the auction, including IIBEC chapters, individuals, and industry organizations. Thank you to our auctioneer, Chad Hodges, and his wife, Sarah, as well as the staff of IIBEC who helped plan and facilitate the event.

Finally, a very special thanks goes out to GAF for their ongoing sponsorship of this event!

To support the Foundations, please consider making a donation online at https://rci-iibecfoundation.org/donate.aspx (U.S.) or https://www.rcifoundation.ca/donate.aspx (Canada). To discuss other ways to help out, please contact Rick Gardner, Foundations development officer, at Rgardner@iibec.org or 919-859-0742.