SOT auction command table
Main auction area
Scottish Claymore Sword
Donated six-foot giraffe dines on donated Ficus tree.
Charles Runner
Preparations for the Silent Auction began before summer with SOT members developing lists of potential donors they wished to contact. Members also signed up to work the auction table in the Clubhouse for the four weeks preceding the auction as well as setup duties on November 10, working the 11-hour auction on Veterans Day and helping with distribution of items on November 12. That involved 135 volunteer positions.
While some SOT members collected donations from the Soriano Street, Southerland, Serene Court, Southpoint Court and Crestridge Drive neighborhoods that resulted in their creation of 48 gift baskets, others visited local businesses to seek donations. Some Robson Ranch donors were busy quilting, sewing and knitting items. Many members of the Sassy Stampers created unique Christmas Cards for the auction, and Ray Wazny handmade mesquite tables and bowls with turquoise inlays. Items were also donated by the Robson Ranch Happy Potters and the Stain Glass Club.
It took 17 persons under the direction of Barbara Runner about five hours to display the 362 donated items with an estimated value of $33,718 throughout the Clubhouse hallways and the Bandera-Medina Rooms. Sam Goodrich and Grady Petty led a team to set up the sale table with over 150 dozen golf balls, SOT shirts, challenge coins and many small gift and collectible items with a value over $2,000.
The auction officially began at 10:00 a.m. immediately following the Veterans Park ceremony. Patrons had many unique items to bid on including art, crafts, Christmas items and toys, collectibles, gifts, jewelry, hobby, home decor, home entertainment and sports and outdoors. There were 75 gift cards and certificates that included auto services, health services, fine dining, golf and personal care.
By the time the auction ended at 9:00 p.m. an estimated 1,000 plus persons had visited the Clubhouse to attend the two Music Club Veterans Day Concerts and to patronize the auction. The winning bids amounted to over $24,000, which will be added to the Support Our Troops 2016 Giving Budget. This year’s 50/50 raffle set a record with $3,470 in ticket sales.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to the SOT members who planned, collected donations and worked the long hours performing auction chores and to the Robson Ranch residents and visitors who patronized the auction. We wish you all a Happy Holiday and Joyful New Year.
Other SOT News: On October 20 Mayor Chris Watts read a proclamation at the meeting of the Denton City Council that “Declared and proclaimed Veterans Day as a day to honor our Veterans and to thank Robson Ranch Support Our Troops.” SOT President Charles Runner received the proclamation and briefed the audience concerning Support Our Troops operations. We thank Robson resident and Denton City Council Member Kathleen Wazny for her efforts to have Robson Ranch clubs that support the community recognized for their work.