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2004 “First Ever” Fundraising Banquet
A Huge Success!!!
Arizona Antelope Foundation’s “First Ever” fundraiser took place on August 7, 2004. It was a great event pulled together out of thin air by many dedicated people. There was an initial
concern that too many people would be out of town at that time, but 300 generous souls showed up to bid and buy and belly up to the buffet and the bar. Leo Balthazor and his El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium staff helped
the fundraiser committee put together a nearly seamless event. Dave Yoke, our inimitable auctioneer, was his usual professional and effective self. He turned everybody’s pockets inside out and wrung out every dime
he possibly could. Doug Stancill, emcee extraordinaire, kept everybody informed and the program on schedule. The committee members, having been through other such fundraisers for other organizations, did what they
do best and went the extra mile to pull it all off more smoothly than anybody ever expected. After attending other such banquets in the last few years that have swelled to 600 and more people and eating food half
the people loved and the other half hated, the buzz throughout the room all evening long was how wonderful it was to be able to walk across the room without having to say, “Excuse me” dozens of times along the way
and getting a choice of entrees.
There was a balloon for each person, and a prize in each balloon at least equal to the price. David Hussey hosted the “Hussey 500” raffle originated many years ago by his father Harry. There was a bucket
raffle, a general raffle, two silent auctions, a card raffle for a much-desired scoped rifle, a raffle especially for the ladies, several blitzes throughout the evening, and, of course, the live auction. The mood
was relaxed, happy, and infectious. Many comments were heard along the lines of people not being able to remember when they had so much fun at a fundraiser. It was, indeed, special.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of plaques to all past presidents, all but two of whom were present, and the presentation of life member plaques.
Many people contributed to this event. Donations came out of the woodwork, from $10 to thousands. AAF and the fundraiser committee wish to thank everybody who donated money, tangible items, or simply their time
away from family and friends to make this first fundraiser such a phenomenal success. Every single donation was a welcome sight. We can’t thank everybody who contributed to our cause, but several people need special
recognition: Tim Tanner of Don’s Sport Shop, Bruce Gibson of Sportsman’s Warehouse, Jerry & Sandy Weiers, Alan Hamberlin, Charlie & Linda Kelly, Jim & Tracy Unmacht, Pete & Cathy Cimellaro, Bill
Hook, the law firm of Gust Rosenfeld, and the law firm of Meagher & Geer, Minneapolis. Their donations of time, tangible items, and money were truly above and beyond what we could have hoped for. (Click
here to see a complete donor list).
We also need to thank the committee. These people were the heart and soul of this event and put way more than 100% into making it happen. Co-Chairs Larry Cullen and Nancy Lewis cannot thank the following people
enough: Ignacio Beltram, Tom Boggess, Pete Cimellaro, Larry Erickson, Sue Foote, Ed Gammons, Nina Gammons, Jerry Guevin, Bill Hook, David Hussey, Harry Hussey, Don Johnson, Bruce Johnson. Bill Keebler, Charlie
Kelly, Dave Laird, Warren Leek, Connie Taylor, Jim Unmacht, Tracy Unmacht, and Chrissy Weiers,
Now we come to the most amazing part of the whole evening. All of the figures are not in at this time, but preliminary guesstimates have the grand total near $70,000. When you stop to consider there were only
300 people in attendance, it averages out to nearly $250 per person! We set out hoping against hope to get $50,000 into the AAF coffers. The extreme generosity of all involved―worker bees, donors, attendees,
spouses, and everybody else who played a part in this phenomenal fundraiser―we salute you. Mission accomplished, and then some.
Nancy Lewis
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