November 1, 2008 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – The American Cancer Society had another big year in Dallas as the community’s movers and shakers gathered on October 4 for the 35th Anniversary Cattle Baron’s Ball. The event was held at Southfork Ranch, home of television’s J.R. Ewing and family. United Country Auction Services was front and center to lend a hand to the deserving charity.
The event, which raised more than $4 million between sponsors and live and silent auctions, is the single largest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year’s headlining act was the CMA’s Country Music Duo of the Year, Sugarland, who performed on the Dr. Pepper Main Stage. Country singer, Pat Green, warmed up the crowd before the live auction on the Bank of America Stage.
Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA, auctioneer and president of United Country Auction Services, and his team of highly excitable bid spotters returned for their seventh year to preside over the live auction. Gary Cogill, WFAA movie critic, emceed the event while Eddie Deen, caterer to the presidents, took care of the food duties. The evening kicked off with a private gathering at the Ewing’s home located on the ranch and then proceeded to the casino tent and silent auction.
To kick off the live auction, Pat Green joined Mike Jones on stage to sell a signed guitar for $5,500. The auction highlights included a 2009 Mercedes SL63 AMG for $134,000, an evening of Texas Hold ‘em, Prime Steaks and Stogies with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Daryl Johnston, Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek for $60,000, Iron Chef BBQ Package with Dallas’ finest chefs for $50,000, and a trip to Cabo San Lucas for $45,000. Auction guests also purchased a Single Malt Scotch Package to Scotland for $22,500, Beretta Shotgun Package to Italy for $18,000, dinner with the Trump family in New York for $20,000, dinner at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek for $5,000, Gregg Ruth diamond necklace for $11,000, Napa Trip for $12,500, and a Mexico vacation to San Miquel de Allende for $10,000.
The 35th Anniversary Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball was a huge hit, and the CBB committee has already set a date and begun planning for the 2009 event.
To learn more about United Country and how the company gives back to the community, visit www.ucauctionservices.com or contact Mike Jones at mikejones@unitedcountry.com.
About United Country
United Country Real Estate is the only national real estate franchise system specializing in properties in and around the small cities and towns of America. Based in Kansas City, Mo., the company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 675 offices nationwide with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the leading web sites in the real estate market (www.unitedcountry.com), proprietary real estate catalogs, an extensive buyer database and national advertising of properties to over 90 million homes a week. United Country has been named as a Top 25 Franchise by the Wall Street Journal and among Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500®. In January 2007, the company introduced United Country Auction Services, becoming the nation’s largest integrated network of traditional real estate agents and real estate auctioneers.
