(Left to Right) Rocky Strickland's widow Donna Strickland, Instructor Doak Lambert, School Owners Mike and Lori Jones, Instructors Scott Swenson and Miles Autry present a check for $30,131 at the hospital December 7, 2009 commemorating the school annual donation.

The Texas Auction Academy presented Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital with a check for $30,131 on December 7th. The check represents the total raised in 2009 by students and faculty members during four fundraising auctions held in conjunction with the finale of the auctioneer training course. The school had been donating to TSRCH for many years but in 2007 the school owner’s decided to donate all future proceeds to the hospital in honor of fellow auctioneer and popular instructor the late Rocky Strickland, CAI, BAS. Since the first check presentation in 2007, the future auctioneers and instructors have presented the hospital with over $55,000.

“We believe very much in the great and noble work that Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital does for children. The doctors and staff are outstanding and we love to visit the hospital each year.” said Mike Jones the schools owner and Director adding, “We stress in auction school to give back to your community and help those in need. I truly believe you are blessed a hundred times over for your good deeds for others. The four auctions we do each year are not just fundraising auctions but rather life lessons for our students” adding  “My only regret is that Rocky isn’t here to see what his inspiration is doing for these children. But then again, you can feel him in the room at every auction”.

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 Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas, TX. The school also helps raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and in 2006, the school 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 at the school include Champion Auctioneers, Hall of Fame members, Past National and State Association leaders and successful industry specialists. The Texas Auction Academy has a strategic business relationship with United Country Real Estate, Kansas City, Missouri providing auction education to real estate brokers and agents. United Country is America’s largest integrated Real Estate & Auction Company named # 1 by Dun & Bradstreet in July 2009. 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 info@texasauctionacademy.com or call 972-387-4200.