Throughout the year, ServNet auctions reach out to their communities, focusing on those needing a helping hand. The causes are as varied as the auctions themselves: from benefits for orphans and the homeless, help for those with medical needs, and fundraising for medical research Benefiting local and national charities, auction owners, employees and their customers open their hearts and their pockets at fund-raising efforts across the country.
"The fund-raising events held at ServNet auctions vary in size and scope," says ServNet Executive Director Chris Angelicchio. "Some benefit high profile charities, while others are focused on efforts that are close to home. But they are all spurred by the generosity of the auction's owners, employees and customers and their desire to help.”
"ServNet's auction owners honor the personal stakes that they have in our businesses, and are mindful that they are dealing with people, real people, on whom their success depends," Angelicchio. "I am proud to note how often ServNet give back through charity events that are taking place at auctions across the country."
Akron Auto Auction has a longstanding commitment to give back to the community. One of the auction's longest relationships is with Ohio's Breast Cancer Fund, Drive Hope, which AAA has been supporting since 2015. Collectively, the auction team has raised over $70,000 for Drive Hope and is looking forward to delivering them another big check this year. This year's Breast Cancer Awareness Sale was held on Tuesday, October 8th at Akron Auto Auction, and is slated for Thursday October 20th at its sister facility, Value Auto Auction.
Another charity near and dear to Akron Auto Auction is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness. AAA had been donating and participating in a national fundraiser - Walk MS - for many years. Due to Covid-19 concerns in early 2020, AAA decided to begin a new tradition of holding its own fundraiser by hosting an Office Relay competition. Funds generated from the event are donated to The Oak Clinic, a local MS Treatment Center in Uniontown, Ohio. AAA is proud to have raised over $10,000 in the first two years of this event.
Akron Auto Auction also gives regularly to the Haven of Rest, a local self-funded shelter. Donation Bins are filled weekly by staff and customers with everything from food and clothing to small furniture items and books. The bins are delivered to the shelter each week, and about 30 turkeys are donated every November holiday season. Akron Auto Auction also participates each November in the Akron Children's Hospital Holiday Tree Festival by decorating and donating a themed Christmas Tree to be auctioned off for charity, with proceeds ranging from $500-$1,000.
Bel Air Auto Auction made a $100,000 donation to the American Cancer Society following a fund raiser held in conjunction with its 75th Anniversary last spring.
BSC America's Bel Air Auto Auction celebrated its 75th year in April of 2022. The pinnacle of the landmark event was the Classic Car Sale, a tradition at Bel Air Auto Auction, which this year included a special fundraising event to benefit the American Cancer Society. The first item offered at the Classic Car Sale was not a vehicle but Bel Air's #1 Bidder Badge, the top bidder gaining life-time rights. Spirited bidding hefted the final price to $41,000, with Bryan Kilby from Jones Junction winning the #1 Bidder Badge. Then back-up bidder Neal Johnson from Rich Morton Mazda stepped up to donate an additional $10,000. With proceeds at $51,000, the Nichols family rounded the full donation to an even $100,000.
Joining many of its sister auctions in raising awareness for Breast Cancer in October, Bel Air Auto Auction is also partnering with MileOne Autogroup, donating $10 for every car sold during the month to the American Cancer Society.
Carolina Auto Auction hosted its Annual Legacy Dinner & VIP Charity Auction event in September, this year with keynote speaker Chris Fowler from ESPN. The auction's 17th annual charity golf tournament and a Purple Ribbon Car Sale rounded off the 3-day event, which raised more than $100,000 for the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University for melanoma research. Over the years, the auction's donations to the cancer institute have topped $700,000, thanks to the support of its customers.
Carolina's sister auction, Indiana Auto Auction, marked its third annual charity event in September 2022. A dinner at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne was highlighted by speaker ESPN's Chris Fowler and was followed by a charity event in the auction lanes the following day. This year, a total of $25,000 was donated to Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do, a non-profit Indiana corporation serving adolescent cancer survivors.
Andrew Schaefer, Indiana Auto Auction’s new General Manager, introduces ESPN’s Chris Fowler at the auction’s 3rd Annual Charity event, held in September.
30 years ago, DAA Northwest held its first major fundraiser when a local non-profit organization approached the auction and asked for help. Now an annual tradition held every year since in conjunction with its anniversary celebration, DAA Northwest's Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser is set for this year on November 9th at the Northern Quest Resort. There, dealers and their guests will enjoy dinner and take part in the fundraising, which will benefit Young Life, Spring of Hope International, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and Union Gospel Mission Inland Northwest. The auction will raise funds via a live auction, and will also sell a limited number of Anniversary Sale caps, matching all funds raised. Since its inception the Fundraiser has generated more than $1.8 million for charity.
Since 2012 Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho has held its Legends of Country Charity Concert typically raising between $25,000 and $35,000 annually to benefit Personal Ponies Idaho, Local Youth Sports and JDRF. Each August the auctions puts on a full stage production event featuring Top Country Artits (previous years' artists include Tracy Byrd, John Michael Montgomery, Frankie Ballard, Eric Paslay, Collin Raye, Ira Dean, David Lee Murphy, Aaron Tippin, Mark Wills, and Andy Griggs). Along with live music, there are VIP tents, food/drink vendors and a live charity auction. The 2022 event held at Dealers Auto Auction of Idaho in August raised $35,000 for all three charities.
Greenville Auto Auction partners with a local non-profit every year for its anniversary sale, this year working with Building Hope Community Life Center, which provides academic support, and spiritual, character and leadership development for the youth in the community. GAA auctioned off an Apple desktop computer, a remote control robot car, and delicious baked goods. Dealers in the lane and online had a chance to bid on these items prior to the sale. This year's activity raised $4,500 for the Center.
The Greenville Auto Auction staff likes to help in their community in more hands-on ways as well. Taking the opportunity to get out of the office to do something to help their community, the auction staff members spent a day at the Greenville Food Bank as well as a day volunteering for a Greenville street clean up. The auction also partnered with the CIADA again this year for the Servant's Heart Award. They receive nominations of North and South Carolina independent dealers who serve their community and select one to win this award. This year's Servants Heart Award Winner was Mark Ward and GAA donated $10,000 to the Nonprofit of his choice.
Missouri Auto Auction has raised nearly $100,000 in just two years for Bree’s Gift, a local organization that supports family seeking adoptions.
In April Missouri Auto Auction held its second annual Bree's Gift Sale, in memory of a former employee's daughter who tragically passed away at the age of 4. The event supports a charity created in her name that supports families seeking domestic and /or international adoptions with funding to secure and complete those adoptions. In 2021 the auction raised $40,000. The 2022 event raised $56,000.
"The auction is first and foremost family for all of us," said Justin Brown, General Manager at Missouri Auto Auction. "That sense of connection extends to the customers that we meet every week on auction day. We appreciate the encouragement of all our employees and customers who have urged us in support of Bree's Gift."
In September Missouri Auto Auction also held an inaugural annual charity event in support of Burns Recovered, an organization that serves burn and smoke inhalation survivors and their families, by providing to provide support and hope during recovery and promoting education about burn injuries and prevention in the community.
"We're delighted to report that we raised $15,000 at our first annual charity sale for Burns Recovered," said Cody Boswell, Missouri Auto Auction owner. "As a burn survivor myself, I have a personal connection to this organization have experienced how much a good support system like this can aid in both recovery and in living a happy life post trauma. We're grateful to all our staff members and customers who contributed."