St. Jude

It was an emotional and giving night as patrons packed the Omni hotel ballroom for the annual St. Jude Evening Under
the Stars Party benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital October 13th in Dallas. The event featured a great live auction, silent auction, Give to Live campaign and spirited performance by country’s John Rich and Kenny Alsphin better known as Big & Rich. The event brought in over $780,000 to benefit the children of St. Jude.

“Sold! $30,000 dollars …bidder number 921!” proclaimed United Country Auctioneer Mike Jones as an exclusive trip to Ireland set the tone for the Live Auction. The impressive trip did not include airfare, but featured exclusive golf outings and unique castle tours. Other auction highlights included a Virgin Islands trip $11,000, Dinner with Air Force pilot and United States patriot Scott McGrady $7000 and show stopping sapphire bracelet $7000.

The event marked the 50th Anniversary of the hospital founded by Danny Thomas and his friends. One of those close friends was a young Joe Haggar, Jr. who met Thomas when he was just 19 years old but was one of St. Jude’s most devoted and loyal supporters. Over $7.4 million dollars has been raised by a golf tournament Haggar started in 1995 and the St. Jude Evening Under The Stars Party added in 2002. Haggar passed away in June at age 87. Historically, it is noted his long tenure on the St. Jude hospital board and his recognition as being the clothier for President Lyndon B. Johnson.

It was obvious to all that attendees wanted it to be a special night of celebration and recognition for Mr. Haggar. Special honorees Mary and Mike Terry and ALSAC/ St. Jude CEO Rick Shadyac each openly expressed their love and appreciation for Mr. Haggar’s mentoring and inspirational lifestyle. Also in attendance, Isabell Haggar, his
wife of over 63 years who will continue the families support of St. Jude. This year’s event co-chairs were daughters Marian Bryan and Lydia Novakov.

Mr. Haggar had a huge impact on one of St. Jude’s corporate partnerships. He sat on the board of Brinker International during the time Chili’s began its partnership with St. Jude. His passion for the hospital inspired the Brinker leadership team and Norman Brinker, Doug Brooks and others that have followed in Mr. Haggar’s footsteps to carry the same love and passion for the hospital as Mr. Haggar always had. This partnership with Brinker and Chili’s has generated more than $41 million for St. Jude’s mission.

“We are very proud to have been involved and contributed to the St. Jude Evening Under the Stars Party event since the beginning and the hospital has become a very important part of our lives. I believe God sends us angels and for me personally, Mr. Joe Haggar, Jr. was one of mine.”

“It has been an honor to know Mr. Haggar and participate in his and Danny Thomas’ dreams.” remarked, Auctioneer Jones. Adding “the world would be a much better place if there were a million more Joe Haggar’s out there. We will miss him but will continue his dream and in time celebrate the elimination of childhood cancer”.

United Country Auction Services is a division of United Country Real Estate, the largest fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals in the United States and Central America. The company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 550 offices across the U.S., Costa Rica, Panama and resort areas of Mexico, with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the largest portfolios of property marketing websites (more than 3,000 separate sites and traffic of approximately 3 million visitors per month), United Country reaches more than 90 million homes per week. United Country has recently been recognized by Franchise Business Review, AllBusiness.com, The Land Report, Entrepreneur and The Wall Street Journal as one of the top U.S. real estate companies.

Jones is the President of United Country Auction Services and has been an auctioneer for over 33 years conducting over 3000 auctions. He is the only member of the National Auctioneers Association to attain the NAA “Triple Crown”, as the 1998 International Auctioneer Champion, 2004-05 Past President and 2012 NAA Hall of Fame member. Jones is also President of the Texas Auction Academy training school and conducts over 100 charitable auctions per year. Jones clients include the National Football League, Ducks Unlimited, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and others. He has been featured on numerous television programs including the Kathy Griffin Show, FX Breakfast Time, Texas Country Reporter and Fast and Loud. To learn more, go to www.classicauctioneers.com and www.ucauctionservices.com

Mike Jones and the United Country Auction Team under the goal post October 29th at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas prior to the St. Jude Evening Under the Star Party and Auction. Left to Right: Montie Davis, Tracie Davis, Harry Daffern, Phillip Braun, Lori Jones, Mike Jones, Rob Ruhde, Mike Bullock, Matt Free.

St. Jude’s Evening Under the Star Party, Auction and Golf Tourny Raises $770,000

December 1, 2010 (Dallas, TX and Kansas City, MO) St. Jude Children’s Hospital just wrapped up their annual Evening Under the Star Party and the St. Jude/Derek Harper Golf Classic raising $770,000 for the kids of St. Jude. The golf tournament attracted big names at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, such as golf legend Lee Trevino and former NFL great Tim Brown. Within the same month guests had a wonderful evening at the Dallas Cowboys new turf, Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The Evening Under the Star Party included guests taking photos with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, catching a glimpse of themselves on the Jumbo Tron and dining and dancing to Nashville singer Jo Dee Messina.

Live Auction highlights included Super Bowl XLV tickets for $10,000, St. Maarten and Cabo San Lucas trips selling for $11,000 each and the annual Give to Live campaign brought in a spirited $86,000. Professional Auctioneer Mike Jones and his United Country Auction Team conducted the Live Auction event. “There is something extra special about having this event in the most recognizable stadium in the world considering it started a decade ago in someone’s North Dallas backyard” says Jones who has conducted the auction since the beginning. Adding, “this year’s event was extremely successful and one of our best to date”.

All of these events continue to help raise awareness and funding for children with cancer. Congratulations to all the attendees, committee members, St. Jude’s, donors and everyone involved in making these North Texas events successful for St. Jude Children’s Hospital!

Lori and Mike Jones, (on right) owners of the Texas Auction Academy present a check for $109,450.75 to Dave McKee, COO of ALSAC-St. Jude on behalf of their students and instructors November 17, 2009 at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis to commemorate the total amount donated by the school to the hospital to date.

January 13, 2010 (DALLAS, TX) – Mike and Lori Jones, Owners of the Texas Auction Academy in Dallas recently returned from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis where they presented a check on behalf of their graduates and instructors in the amount of $109,405.75. The check represents the funds raised by the school since their relationship started with the hospital.

“Ever since I visited the hospital back in 1998, I have been dedicated to having the school conduct an auction each quarter to help raise money for those kids” says Mike Jones, the schools owner who added, “Reaching $100,000 is fantastic but now we have a new target ….$200,000”. Jones went on to say, “There is no way we could have accomplished this without the love, dedication and support of our great students, instructors and staff.”

The visit coincided with the NAA/St. Jude Children’s Auction held annually at the hospital and conducted by the 2009 International Auctioneer Champions. The young cancer patients of St. Jude attend the auction and buy new toys with Danny Dollars named after hospital founder Danny Thomas. The Texas Auction Academy was presented the NAA-ST. JUDE Horizon Award in 2006 for Loyal & Dedicated Service and for Keeping the Dream Alive. The next Texas Auction Academy fundraiser will be held in March during the next class session.

The Texas Auction Academy was founded in 1992 in Dallas, TX by Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA, International Auctioneer Champion and past president of the National and Texas Auctioneers Associations for the purpose of training and educating individuals interested in pursing a career as a professional auctioneer, business owner or auction company staff member. Since 1998, school graduates have conducted fundraising auctions benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. In 2006, the Texas Auction Academy was presented with the Horizon Award by St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The Texas Auction Academy is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission and is recognized as one of the leading auctioneer training schools in the world with graduates from across the U.S., and as far away as China, New Zealand and Canada. Instructors include Champion Auctioneers, Hall of Fame members, Past National and State Association leaders and successful industry specialists. Individuals interested in a career in auctioneering or the Texas Auction Academy should visit the website at www.texasauctionacademy.com or contact Lori Jones at 972-387-4200.

Mike Jones and Charlie Daniels raise money for St. Jude

Back in 2002 an auction of a few items to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at a party held in a North Dallas backyard brought in about $7000. Fast forward to late 2007 and the little party has become a major fundraising event for the Memphis based hospital which now includes a celebrity golf tournament, big name entertainment and an auction that has become the focal point of the party. The weeklong festivities were highlighted by the annual St. Jude “Evening Under The Stars” party held October 25th at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel resulting in total proceeds topping $917,000.

“It was the best we’ve ever had” said Joe Haggar, patriarch of the Haggar Clothing Company who has been involved since the start and helped organize the first event. Haggar, a member of the original St. Jude Hospital board which entertainer Danny Thomas helped form, is still a member today. Whatever I can do to help these kids is what we are all about and I receive far more from it than I what I give”, Adding, “We are so fortunate to have good people like Charlie Daniels, Event Chairman Michael Gruber, golf Chairman Derek Harper and Auctioneer Mike Jones helping us to make this such a huge success.

This year’s featured entertainment was Country Music and Southern Rock Star Charlie Daniels who flew in from Nashville to perform at Mr. Haggar’s request. Daniels, on a tight time line, performed and immediately headed back to Love Field for a private plane ride back to Nashville to record a new album the next morning. Backstage, Haggar thanked Daniels for traveling to Dallas, Daniels was quick to respond said “you don’t need to thank me, I should be thanking you for getting me involved with St. Jude.” Daniels, the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry and best known for his country hits like The Devil Went Down To Georgia, The South’s Gonna Do It Again and Uneasy Rider also serves on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board.

Professional Auctioneer and Dallas area resident Mike Jones, President of United Country Auction Services and his team returned again to conduct the Live Auction. There is no way I would miss this one Jones said. Anytime Mr. Haggar calls you to do something, you don’t turn him down, he is one of my favorite people” he added. This year’s Live Auction highlights included a golf outing described as Golf Heaven for Eight via Private Jet to Kohler, Wisconsin brought in $60,000, Dancing With The Stars California trip $19,000, Private Party for 100 with 22 piece orchestra at the Dallas Arboretum $14,500, Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins trip fetched $9,000, Black South Seas Pearl Earrings $9000, Samsung 500 NASCAR Racing Package from Roger Staubach and Hall of Fame Racing $8500, Palm Springs Golf Outing $8500, Crested Butte Ski Accommodations for 20 $7500, Meet Dirk Nowitski Package $5500 and a Football signed by Hall of Fame Quarterbacks signed by Staubach, Montana and Archie and Peyton Manning fetched $5500. All told, the evening festivities brought in over $317,000.

The St. Jude staff and volunteers are already gearing up for another great event in 2008.