AASV Foundation holds successful 2012 auction

March 28, 2012 — 

The AASV Foundation is grateful to everyone who participated in the 2012 live and silent fundraising auctions. Each bid makes a difference!

Fun and good times were had by all at the AASV Foundation annual fund-raising auction in Denver, Colorado. Combined, the silent and live auctions raised a record $83,704.10 to support Foundation programs including student travel stipends, research projects, scholarships, student externships, summer internships, awards, and other opportunities to enhance the personal and professional aspects of swine veterinary medicine.

Auctioneer, and AASV Executive Director, Dr. Tom Burkgren called the auction with the assistance of AASV Student Delegate Shamus Brown (ISU).

This year’s auction also included a raffle in which participants purchased numbered buttons for a chance to win one of three cash prizes. The raffle netted $2327.10 for the Foundation.

The auction was a great success and the Foundation Auction Committee would like to extend a special thanks to those that donated items to the auction. A list of the auction buyers and the selling prices is available on the AASV Foundation’s auction website.

Surprise, surprise, last year’s pig tie showed up again. This time Dr Jim Bradford, who bought the tie last year, offered it up for sale, and ended up buying it back himself for $650. This tie has some history now and I wonder where it might turn up next. San Diego maybe?

Without a doubt, the auction has been the major fundraiser for the Foundation. It’s also been a fun-filled social event for attendees at the annual meeting: 2012 was no different. The largest purchase of the evening went to Dr. Mike Schelkopf with Bethany Animal Hospital. He purchased the EPI Technology units, donated by BEI, for $10,800. The second-largest purchase of the evening was made by Dr Ronald Horst – $6500 for four box seats at Lambeau Field for an upcoming Minnesota Vikings-Green Bay Packers regular season football game.

The silent auction, which concluded during the Monday night reception, raised over $20,000. One of the unique items included a complete set of “Hogg Sense” newsletters donated by Mrs. Mary Lou Hogg. A consortium of AASV members banded together to purchase the rare collection for $2750.00. The consortium then donated the book back to Mrs. Hogg who, in turn, donated it to the AASV. It is prominently displayed in the AASV office.

A special thanks goes to the ring men: Kent Andersen, Shamus Brown, Tom Burkgren, Howard Hill, Joel Kimpston-Burkgren, Darrell Neuberger, David Reeves, and John Waddell, who kept the bids coming; and the following whose behind-the-scenes and front-end help were invaluable: Hannah Marburger, Karen Menz, Karen Richardson, Lee Schulteis, Sue Schulteis, Tina Smith, and Harry Snelson.

Dr Warren Wilson announced his retirement as chair of the AASV Foundation Auction Committee, but agreed to offer support and participation with next year’s auction. Dr Daryl Olsen agreed to accept the role as auction chair and work to maintain the success of recent Foundation auctions.