Does this basketball look like $15,000 to you?

I had the honor of working with an amazing non-profit in San Jose on Saturday and It was one of those nights where everything just went perfect. So many moving parts, dozens of different entertainers, magnificent food and an absolute gorgeous evening. I would be remiss not to mention we had the benefit of working with an amazingly talented Event Planner and her entire team. They made everything appear seamless, as if all the entertainers, Steel Drum Band, Stilt Walker, Wheel of Fortune Teller, Henna Painter, Face Painter, Joe Cello, Bubbles, Kettle Corn, the food vendors and the head liner, award recipient and presenters all work together every week in this fabulous museum. So they really did tee it up for all of us at @Charity_Benefit_Auctions

This was our warm up item. A Basketball generously donated by the Golden State Warriors and two tickets to a game next season. Which we all generously estimated would bring somewhere in the $3500 range. People ask me all the time whats hot right now? Well, not Bay Area, basketball! The Warriors didn't have their best season last year. Never the less, the Warriors are a benefit auction staple in the South Bay and always a safe bet to get the paddles in the air early. So I wouldn't say the Team signed, Warrior Basketball will be the big hit of the night.

One of the best parts of my job as a professional, Charity Auctioneer is getting to see people support the non-profits they love with unbridled passion, with reckless abandonment. It's so fun when philanthropists get together in this case outside in the atrium but in most cases a ballroom and really get after it to support their causes. These folks make it fun for everyone at the event and their generosity is infectious. I am so proud to say we played a small part in helping them soar past their goal for the evening in fact we had to add to our "on stage" fundraising thermometer because we almost doubled the goal for the night.

When you work hard in the meetings and the months before the fundraisers and build a thoughtful event for your guests and you trust your team mates. The "night of" becomes the easy part. After everyone sees a pretty regular looking basketball and a couple of seats to a game sell for $15,000 then a trip anywhere or a dinner anywhere or a Pop Stars, guitar all seam like a pretty good buy and a fun way to make a donation.

Thanks again to everyone that worked so hard in the months leading up to and worked the event. You made it a memorable night at the Museum and I know every guest is looking forward to coming back and doing it again next year!