Former 49ers head coach Jeff Mullins (R) and Rick Dobson at the 25th Annual Great Gold Rush Auction. |
Great Gold Rush Auction Raises 260K For Scholarship Fund
July 8, 2008
Halton Arena - For the third straight year, the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Foundation's Great Gold Rush Auction surpassed its goal of raising a quarter of a million dollars. The 25th annual "Silver Anniversary" event, held on Saturday, June 7 at Halton Arena raised $260,000. Over 625 attendees, including several corporate and community leaders in Charlotte bid on over 1500 items, valued at over $400,000.
"We enjoyed a memorable evening," said Kelly Weatherman, Assistant Director of the Athletic Foundation. "We added some special effects for the Silver Anniversary event, but the one thing that remained constant was the support we received from the community. The donations of high-end, one-of-a-kind items, the community-wide involvement, the energy from the attendees -- that's what makes this evening great and such a pleasure to put on."
Proceeds from the auction go directly to the 49ers Athletic Scholarship fund.
Marilyn Gallagher, a member of the Athletic Foundation's Board of Directors, served as Auction Chair. Chartwells, a division of the Compass Group, served as presenting sponsor. Belk Stores and the Pepsi Bottling Group served as supporting sponsors.
"The success of this event truly depends on the volunteer efforts of so many people. Marilyn is fantastic to work with and the leadership role she played was instrumental. We could not have done all that we did without her vision and enthusiasm. In addition, I have to thank our sponsors as well. They stepped up for us and I personally, can't say enough about the partnerships we share with each of them," Weatherman added.
Unique items sold at the auction included a round of golf with university Chancellor Phil Dubois at Quail Hollow Club, "Coach for a Day" items with 49ers head men's basketball coach Bobby Lutz and head women's basketball coach Karen Aston, and a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by a Johnson & Wales chef. A trip to ESPN's Anaheim Classic, in which the 49ers will compete in November, highlighted the many attractive vacations, which included such destinations as Telluride, Maui, Hilton Head and Grandfather Mountain. In addition, a wide variety of furniture, electronics, sporting goods, memorabilia, appliances and artwork were available.
The evening was hosted by former President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Dale Halton and Mark Colone, Vice President of the Signature Sports Group which serves as the 49ers' external marketing arm. Among those in attendance were Chancellor Philip Dubois and his wife, Lisa Lewis Dubois; former United States Ambassador Mark Erwin; Irwin Belk; Tom and Lib Phillips; Pat Rodgers, President and CEO of Rodgers Builders; Tim Marburger, President of Marburger Automotive Group; Calvin Brock, former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt and his wife Cindy, former 49ers men's basketball coach Jeff Mullins and his wife, Candy and former UNC Charlotte Chancellor Dr. Jim Woodward and his wife, Martha.
Next year's 26th Annual Great Gold Rush Auction is scheduled for June 6, 2009 at Halton Arena.
