Boys & Girls Club Raises Nearly $20,000 from Event

     The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County raised nearly $20,000 Saturday night during its first celebrity auction, held at Trinity United Methodist Church. Items placed on the auction block Saturday night sold for a total of $4,616, according to Mike Sauls, the club’s treasurer. However, Scott Bullington, the club’s executive director, estimated that a total of almost $20,000 will have been raised from ticket sales, sponsorships and advertisements sold for the evening’s program, in addition to the auction proceeds.

     Bullington said many “lively” bidders were on hand to purchase a variety of autographed items, including photographs, posters, clothing, television scripts and footballs, baseballs and basketballs. He said footballs were the big-ticket items, with a Tennessee Titans pigskin signed by approximately 30 players selling for $260. About 200 items were sold in both a live auction and a silent auction. “I really appreciate everybody who turned out and helped us raise money for the Boys and Girls Club,” Bullington said. The evening began with a dinner served by the Crusaders Class of Trinity United Methodist Church. Eddie Yokley and Leon Bird took turns serving as auctioneer for the evening.

    Several club members and staff were instrumental in the success of the event, Bullington noted. Those who assisted were: Thad Beckner, Ty Moore, Christy Fisher, Josh Allen, Brad Adams, Phelan Story, and Carla Weems. Bullington also expressed thanks to Jim Carter and Mike Menz, two of the club’s board members, for their assistance serving as Chairmen for this year’s event. Bullington also thanked the major sponsors: Forward Air Corporation, Landair Corporation, The Greeneville Sun and Andrew Johnson Bank. “Without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off,” Bullington added. Preparation for the celebrity auction began about four months ago, Bullington explained. He said he knew people were “mesmerized” by celebrities and their merchandise, so he wrote approximately 2,500 letters and e-mail messages to athletes, television and movie stars and musicians. The first response came from the St. Louis Cardinals, who sent two tickets to any game in 2001. 

   Bullington recalled a special moment in the process when he received an autographed photo of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and several signed item from NFL star Peyton Manning on the same day. He said that he would like to have another celebrity auction next year, perhaps in July, so it would not conflict with the many activities of the Christmas season.  This reporter for one will be ready to see all the items they get next year.