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ARA Foundation Charity Auction raises more than $82,000

By Brock Huffstutler

February 15, 2023

The ARA Foundation Charity AuctionTuesday evening’s ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception raised more than $82,000 to support the ARA Foundation and its programs, thanks to bids on more than 30 items donated by exhibitors at The ARA Show™ and additional donations.

The auction, facilitated by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America), was held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and featured a variety of offerings, from rental equipment like a stump grinder from Billy Goat and a frame tent from Aztec Tents, to vacations like Toro’s donation of a Walt Disney World package. 

The money raised during the event supports ARA Foundation programs that help those in the equipment and event rental industry — including educational scholarships, employee training assistance, disaster relief, improvement projects that give back to our communities while raising the profile of rental and mentor/mentee relationships within the industry. 

Randy Hauder, Bloomfield Rent-All, Bloomfield, Iowa, had the winning $2,000 bid on a custom rental contract from James Waite Law. “It makes it easier to bid on stuff knowing it’s going to a good cause. I appreciate everything the Foundation does,” Hauder said.

Robert Pedersen, A Tool Shed, Santa Cruz, Calif., had the winning bid of $4,250 on a dream garage makeover. Pedersen said the program is valuable in many ways. “I’ve personally served on one of the projects the foundation did for a woman’s shelter,” Pedersen said. “One of the best things we’ve done. The foundation is awesome. It’s the heart of the ARA.” 

ARA Foundation ticket winnerAlso included in this year’s festivities was a 50/50 raffle to help support Foundation programs. A total of $5,600 was raised through raffle ticket sales, and the winning number — 984772 — was drawn after the conclusion of the event. They will take home $2,800. If you are the holder of the winning ticket, please visit the ARA Foundation booth #3718 on the trade show floor by the close of the show at 1 p.m. Wednesday, or contact Tracy Johannsen at tracy.johannsen@ararental.org or 309-764-2475, ext. 270.

The 2023 ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception was sponsored by Mi-T-M Corp. and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America). Allied Financial Solutions, a show exhibitor, offered six-months-same-as-cash financing on any auction item purchase. 

For more information on the ARA Foundation, visit ARArental.org/ara-foundation.