Myndi Easter, Buckner Home, Scott Collins, Timm Matthews, DFW Sports, Carl Naylor and Tommy Naylor with United Country Auction Services.

Dallas, TX — United Country Auction Services stepped to the plate to help the children at Buckner House by sponsoring and conducting the Live Auction at the 2011 Buckner House Sporting Clay Shoot held Saturday, April 16 at Elm Fork in Dallas. The shoot, sponsored by business and community leaders is an annual event held to help at-risk and orphaned children.

Event organizer Ted Hill speaking on behalf of Buckner in a correspondence to United Country Auction Services President Mike Jones said, “It was a great event, raising over $62,000 in a short time for the kids at Buckner House. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated. Once again, United Country stands up to make a statement by helping raise badly needed funds in Dallas.”

Hill added, “ I have been told and it has been discussed within the Buckner House Committee on the outstanding job done by Carl Naylor our United Country auctioneer. Several people commented, “the Auctioneer was the best…. and he made the Live Auction!”

Buckner International is a Dallas based global ministry helping at-risk and orphaned children and families through foster care. Learn more about Buckner at www.buckner.org and about United Country Auction Services at www.ucauctionservices.com.

The Third Annual Hope Gala Benefiting Operation Kindness, April 17, 2011, Sambuca 360, Plano, Texas. Front Row (L to R): Nikki Walker, Development Director and Julie Goff, Special Events Manager. Back Row (L to R): Rob Ruhde, Montie Davis, Lawrence Bock, Bachendorf’s Fine Jewelers, Auctioneer Mike Jones, United Country Auction Services and Classic Auctioneers, Lori Jones, Sherwin Daryani, Exec. Director.

Plano, TX — Nothing short of magical could describe The Third Annual Hope Gala Benefiting Operation Kindness at Sambuca 360 in Plano, Texas Sunday evening April 17th.

The Live Auction and Fund-the-Mission raised $57,900 in 2010 and this year’s event organizers were reluctant to make predictions about 2011. However, any concerns they may have had faded quickly as those in attendance eliminated any need for worry.

There were six items offered in the Live Auction and things were moving along according to plan. Dinner for 20 at Capital Grille brought in $2,700, Napa Trip $6,000, diamond necklace $7,000 and then the tide changed for the night as item number six, a dining package to some of Dallas’ best restaurants sold for $5,250 to bidder number 132 who responded with “Sell it again!” donating the package back. The second high bidder number 179 also gave $5,250 and proceeded to donate it back. The third high bidder gave $5,500 for the package, and once again, they donated it back as did the next bidder who also gave $5,500. Ultimately, the Dallas dining package sold two more times for $4,000 each, bringing in an amazing $29,500 for a dining package valued at $1,745.

Auctioneer Mike Jones of United Country Auction Services and Classic Auctioneers had a lot of fun with the process and praised the crowd commenting “in my 32 years, this is the first time I have had an item bring in over $5,000 and have it donated back six times.” After the dust settled, the Live Auction and Fund-the-Need brought in $99,900. Hearing the auction total, Jones made the announcement to the crowd and offered up the final $100 to take the auction total to the $100,000 mark.

Operation Kindness is the oldest and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. Since 1976, Operation Kindness has found loving new homes for more than 65,000 unwanted and abandoned cats and dogs. This year’s event was the single largest fundraiser Operation Kindness has ever held.

About United Country Auction Services, Auctioneer Mike Jones and Classic Auctioneers
United Country Auction Services is a division of United Country Real Estate, the nation’s largest integrated real estate and Auction Company. Established in 1925, United Country supports over 600 offices nationwide, operates over 1300 real estate websites, publishes seven real estate catalogs, maintains an extensive buyer database and is seen by approximately 90 million potential buyer prospects per week. United Country has been recognized by The Land Report as the #1 Auction House in America, Top 25 Franchise by the Wall Street Journal and Top 200 Ranking by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500®. The United Country mission statement includes philanthropy and community support as a major component of corporate success and works with Classic Auctioneers to realize that commitment. To learn more about United Country Auction Services go to www.ucauctionservices.com or www.classicauctioneers.com to learn more about Auctioneer Mike Jones and his Team.

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!

Auctioneer Mike Jones (center) poses with 2010 Houston Cattle Baron’s Chairman Shary Heins (left center), Lori Jones (right center) and the United Country Auction team, April 24 at the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond. The American Cancer society event raised over $1.7 million for cancer research.

It was a record breaking night at this year’s Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball held Saturday, April 24^th at the George Ranch Historical Park. This year’s theme was “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” and according to event Co-Chair Nancy Ebanks, the Houston’s premier cancer fundraiser brought in over $1.7 million for the American Cancer Society.

The Live Auction portion of the evening brought in an impressive $409,250.00 which was $150k more than 2009 and a 10 year high according to Auctioneer Mike Jones, President of United Country Auction Services who along with his high powered team of Bid Spotters returned for their third year. “We are thrilled with this year’s Live Auction totals and the outstanding job that Mike and his team performed” remarked event Co-Chair Shary Heins. Jones and his team have already been retained to conduct next year’s event.

Heins added, “There was definitely something for everyone including live entertainment by singer Rodney Atkins, catering by Pappas, live pig races, casino gaming, “Midway” games, big board, and of course the real money makers the live and the silent auctions

Live Auction highlights included a “Route 66 Commemorative Tribute Quilt” made by pediatric patients ages 4-16 from Texas Children’s Hospital and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center $55k; Mexico trip $28,500; Cabo trip on the luxury liner Sea of Cortez $22,500; Honda Civic $19,500; Generac Backup home generator $18,500; Dinner prepared by Chef Johnny Carrabba $17k; Dancing with the Stars Hollywood trip $15k; and a Final Round at Pebble Beach $12,500.

This year the weather was picture perfect and it was a great night for a party under the stars and folks really seem to have a great time. The 23 year old Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball has now contributed over $27 million to the American Cancer Society. For more information on this event, go to cbbhouston@cancer.org and for more info on Auctioneer Mike Jones and United Country Auction Services go to www.ucauctionservices.com or www.classicauctioneers.com.

Mike Jones and Scott Swenson visit with a pre-visit emissary representing the China Association of Auctioneers

Download China Association of Auctioneers national publication. First time an American has been featured in their official auctioneering magazine.

Download this article from the NAA magazine

Download China-Association-of-Auctioneers Magazine

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.