Photo Caption: The United Classic Auctioneers Team: (L to R) Rich Schur, Shannon Schur, Harry Daffern, Lori Jones, Mike Jones, Phillip Braun and Rob Ruhde.

The United Classic Auction Team returned to Fort Worth August 24 to help Catholic Charities Fort Worth set a new fundraising record. The annual Noche De Fiesta event moved to the new Omni Hotel this year and the difference was noticeable. The look was fresh, the crowd was larger and the results speak for themselves. The event raised almost $700,000 with the “Paddles Up” bringing in over $325,000. Overall, the event raised $160,000 over the groups planned goal.

“I was just asked by another group if I would recommend you and of course I said yes! This was the best year we have EVER had!!! You were beyond amazing-THANK YOU!”

Rachel Roberts, LMSWt
Catholic Charities Fort Worth

Read the full write-up here on CultureMap Houston

Beto Pena Ringing at CBB Houston

Beto Pena Ringing at CBB Houston

Read the full write-up here on CultureMap Houston

$70,000 Pediatric Patients Children’s Hospital Designed Quilt

Mike and Lori at CBB Houston

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 Elected to Auctioneer Hall of Fame

2012 Fur Ball with our good friend, SPCA of Texas President James Bias.

The United Country Auction team, (L to R) Myers Jackson, Russell Huckaby, Mike Jones, Brad W. Wooley and Brad H. Wooley helped raise over $70,000 for the AR Game & Fish Foundation.

The United Country Auction team conducted the 30th Anniversary Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation Hall of Fame auction Friday night, September 7 at the State Capitol Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. Hunting and fishing enthusiastic from across Arkansas and other states attended the event. The Live auction raise over $70,000 to promote the group’s mission.

“United Country is a proud sponsor of the 30th Anniversary Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation annual banquet and our team thoroughly enjoyed providing the Live Auction services for the event” said Auctioneer Mike Jones, President of United Country Auction Services, adding “Congratulations to the new Arkansas Hall of Fame inductees. We look forward to being involved in this event for many years to come.”

Live Auction highlights included a youth elk hunt $9000, Claypool Reservoir painting by artist April Shurgar $7500 and Ladies diamond bracelet $5000. The auction included several War Eagle and Sea Ark boats, commemorative shotguns and hunting trips.

The auction was conducted by United Country Auction Services President, Mike Jones with assistance from UC affiliates Brad H. Wooley, Brad W. Wooley, Russell Huckaby and Myers Jackson.