The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) is a partner of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (St. Jude) in Memphis, Tennessee.
The NAA adopted St. Jude as its national philanthropy in 1995.
Since that time NAA has raised over $4,000,000 for the hospital.
NAA has more recently pledged to raise an additional $500,000 for St. Jude in the next five years in support of the hospital’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
St. Jude was founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, with help from Dr. Lemuel Diggs and Anthony Abraham.
St. Jude actively conducts research and laboratory studies, clinical trials and develops innovative treatment methods. St. Jude treats about 250 patients each day, with a facility of 78 beds. About 7,800 patients from throughout the United States are treated each year.
Today, it requires $1,800,000 to operate the hospital each day. That’s $75,000 per hour, or $1,250 every minute. St. Jude relies heavily on public support (donations) and other fundraising activities — approximately 80% of their needed funds to operate.
What makes St. Jude different than almost any other hospital or like-facility on earth is that, “No child is ever turned away because of a family’s inability to pay.” St. Jude more recently proclaimed, “No family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”
However, there are some admission requirements including that the particular disease is currently under study, that the child is referred by an outside physician, not older than 18 years of age and has not received prior extensive treatment at another institution.
Anyone can donate to St. Jude by either emailing donors@stjude.org, mailing a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or calling 1-800-822-6344 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. CT.
NAA hosts an annual “Toy Auction” at St. Jude, with the current Men’s and Women’s International Auctioneer Champions presiding over the event. NAA donates the toys to be sold at auction. The current patients (children) bid with play money. Every child leaves the auction with a toy.
Further, NAA helps member auctioneers with ideas regarding supporting St. Jude. For instance, NAA suggests member auctioneers:
Can ask auction attendees to add on a donation and purchase a St. Jude pin-up at the register when checking out from an auction
Sell one item to benefit St. Jude, such as a St. Jude tie or tote bag, to start off each auction throughout the year
Host one auction from which all proceeds benefit St. Jude
Auction off the front-row seats at each auction for St. Jude
The NAA appears poised to continue to focus on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as its national philanthropy.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Keller Williams Auctions and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. His Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/mbauctioneer. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Columbus State Community College and is Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School.
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