By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – When it comes to charity events, St. Tammany Parish does not have a shortage of interesting and varied offerings.
But the Gulf Coast Bank “Auctions in August” has to rank up there as one of the most unique fundraising ideas of them all.
Started by Gulf Coast President and Chief Executive Officer Guy Williams in 2008, he was like many other business leaders in the community interested in giving back to many of the area charity groups the bank is solicited by each year.
The idea Williams came up with was not only different, but it has drawn increasing interest each year and raised over $1 million in only five years. “Auctions in August” solicits items for auction through an online campaign, offering an incredibly interesting array of gifts for anyone to bid on.
But the most unique feature of the benefit is that the individual who donates the auction item gets to pick which charity they want the proceeds from their item to benefit.
“We do believe we have something very unique and it’s more interesting each year due to the amazing variety of items you can bid on,” Slidell Gulf Coast Bank Operations Manager Barbara Fagot said. “Every year there are so many things that are different and fun to bid on.”
In 2011, with the inclusion of a 1953 Corvette Stingray donated by Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, the auction raised just over $186,000 for a variety of local, regional and national charities, schools and non-profits. The auction in 2012 featured a vintage Chevy Bel Air and brought in nearly $90,000.
Since starting in 2008, the auction has benefited over 300 local, regional and national charities, including many schools, non-profits and civic organizations.
Not only are the donors of the prizes able to determine which charity will benefit from the sale of a particular item when it is successfully auctioned, but recent years have seen many charity groups getting involved also, since they see the potential benefit if they can find individuals to donate items in their name.
This year, some of the more unusual items are:
•50 minute Ritz-Carlton Signature Couples Massage – valued at $280.00
•3-night stay in French Quarter Condo (5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms) – valued at $1,300 – based on availability at owner’s discretion
•Two (2) Chartered Fishing Trips from “Nothing Fancy Just Fishing” Capt. Steve McCann. Chartered fishing trip for two in Lake Ponchartrain and surrounding waters includes all fuel, bait, poles, lunch (sandwiches), and cleaning of catch. Valued at $500.00 each.
•Creekside Retreat @ Stone Creek Club & Spa – valued at $345.00 – Includes two (2) one-hour services, Stone Creek Manicure and Pedicure, Lunch, 18% gratuity, and a pass to the club for a day.
•Karen Lee Photography 90-minute photo session, valued at $455.00, includes pre-session consultation, 90-minute portrait session, image selection, retouching, in-home proofing session, and premium archival packaging. Also includes TEN gift prints (8×10 or smaller) and ONE wall print (11×14).
•$2,000 web design package
•Electric Mercedes Benz children’s car
•Framed Aaron Neville 2013 Jazz Fest Poster
•Drew Brees autographed Saints Helmet
•Bert Jones LSU jersey
•Autographed photo of Les Miles
•Del Porto Ristorante Dinner for 6, with wine, prepared at your home by Chefs Torre & David Solazzo. Valued at $1,500.00; proceeds will benefit the Covington Food Bank
•Four (4) Patron Level tickets to Warren Easton High School’s Centennial Celebration on September 5th, featuring Nicholas Payton and Trombone Shorty performing in honor of Pete Fountain.
•Three (3) tickets to the New Orleans Saints vs. Chiefs pre-season game on August 9. The package includes a parking pass and the seats are fantastic! Club level, section 336, row 14 right on the 50-yard line. Proceeds benefit the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
•On Display at the Slidell bank branch: One-of-a-kind hand-painted art chair by St. Bernard Art Guild, benefiting The Voices Foundation scholarship fund.
Each of the banks 16 branches participate by displaying some of the auction items during the entire month of August.
Participants can bid on items online at auctionsinaugust.com or by visiting any one of the bank’s branches. While nearly all items are accessible via online bidding, people are encouraged to visit the different branches to view the items and help generate buzz and interest among the community. The auction is open to the public, including bank customers and non-customers alike.
Items are continuing to be added to the auction list all month long, so bank officials urge those interested in the bidding to check online frequently to see what is new.