St. Jude Patients Bid for Fun
National Auctioneers Association hosts 12th annual Toy Auction at
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
ALSAC/St. Jude Contact:
Danielle Cruz
Office: 901-578-2341; Cell: 901-216-1157
danielle.cruz@stjude.org
MEMPHIS, TENN. (Nov. 7, 2007) The top auctioneers in the nation will lend their fast talking skills and high energy to bring smiles and toys to the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. The 12th annual Toy Auction, sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), will take place Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the St. Jude Auditorium.
During this exciting auction St. Jude patients and their siblings will place bids on the toys of their choice using auction paddles and play money. International Auctioneer Championship Champions Bryon Knox of Decatur, Alabama and Denise Shearin of Brandywine, Maryland will conduct the live auction with toys donated by the NAA.
"I've always been a supporter of St. Jude and am so excited that the NAA can contribute to the hospital in this fun way. The Toy Auction is a great opportunity to bring smiles and joy to these kids and their families," said Knox.
Knox and Shearin competed against more than 90 auctioneers to win the coveted titles of IAC Champions. The competitors were judged on their presentation, chant, voice quality, body language, and other elements of effective auctioneering. Each Auctioneer won a cash prize, championship trophy, and will now represent the NAA as spokespeople throughout the year.
The NAA formed a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 1995. And since that time has led the auction community to raise more than $3.7 million to aid in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood illnesses. New to the partnership this year are annual St. Jude Auction for Hope events which will be held in conjunction with National Auctioneers Day. Proceeds from these auctions are donated to the hospital and will help the NAA support the life-saving work done at St. Jude.
Based in Overland Park, Kan., the NAA is comprised of more than 6,000 auctioneers from around the world, and strives to promote the auction method of marketing and the interests of its members.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.orgor call 1-800-822-6344.
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