Charity Auctions
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
August 26, 2012 12:19am CST
My big plan for tomorrow is to go to a charity auction that is being held for a friend of a friend of ours. We don't know the man that this auction is for intimately, but he has been there to help us out some in our lives when we had some things going on with our plumbing in our house. He was diagnosed just five months ago with ALS. Now he is stuck in a wheelchair and his doctor is saying that he might be lucky to make it through to Christmas.
The reason for this auction is to raise money for his family to be able to buy a handicap accessible van. I know that we really won't be able to afford to buy anything, but I still believe that being there and showing our support for him is something that is important.
Have you ever attended a charity auction? Do you think that auctions are a good way to raise money for a cause that you (or a loved one) is going through in their lives? Have you ever snagged a great bargain from an auction?
2 people like this
4 responses
@enjoythejourney (524)
• United States
26 Aug 12
Yes, I have been to them several times. I like the ones where there are all kinds of items with a wide range of prices. That way, I can participate even if I am short on cash. Sometimes I just live money in the donation jar too if I can't particpate in the auction.
I think it is great when it members of a community that actually know the person who they are raising money for. It helps bring back a sense of community that is being lost more and more in this country and that is sad.
I have never won any big items but I go for the little stuff and it's.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Aug 12
We definitely weren't able to bid on any of the large items that they had in the auction, but we were able to come home with several small things that we needed for our house that we were able to bring home for a bargain. I got a new computer chair, a decorative curtain rod and a fireplace grate that we really needed for our fireplace. In addition to that, we got a few small knick knacks as well, some cordial glasses, plates and a set of bird statues that my daughter fell in love with.
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
26 Aug 12
hi dora,
thats a very noble thing to do for a friend. am hoping you raise the money for that friend's friend. i envy a community like yours.
i have never been to one though.
have a great day.
ann
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Aug 12
In the experiences that I've had in my life, there are many people that are willing to help a friend, or even a stranger in need.
You know, I did buy several things at the auction that our family could use. However, when I made the payment, I asked them to keep my extra money and donate that money to the family as well. The reason that I did this is because of the fact that last year when my husband was so sick, there were many people that helped us and I wanted to help that family in any small way that I was able to.
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
26 Aug 12
We don´t have that kind of things such as charity auctins in my country. And not everyone has a car, let alone a special van. Here, the family and friends help if they can, but something a expensive as a van is only for rich people. The ret of the population with such problems just stay at home or are taken in arms to a normal car if they have it.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Aug 12
You are right that friends and family do help when and where they can in our country as well. However, it is typical here for people to just be able to walk out of their home and go where they want to go without thinking about it. That is the reason that friends and family of his were trying to raise money so that Jaime would have still been able to have gotten out of his house.
With all that said, he will never need the van because he unexpectedly passed away yesterday as a result of a heart attack.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Aug 12
I really wish that he would have been able to live longer as well. He looked so good at the auction on Sunday. However, yesterday afternoon, I got a call from a friend of mine that was closer to him than we were and she was torn up. She was calling to let me know that Jaime had passed away early yesterday afternoon. He had a heart attack and they were unable to revive him.
