February 21, 2024
Tuesday evening’s ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception raised a record $206,500 to support the ARA Foundation and its programs, thanks to bids on more than 30 items donated by exhibitors at The ARA Show™ and others in the rental community.
The auction, facilitated by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America), was held at the La Nouvelle Ballroom, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in New Orleans, and featured a variety of offerings, from rental equipment like a hybrid energy system from ANA — the event’s premier item — and gift certificates for specialty linens from BBJ La Tavola, 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 mentoring relationships within the industry.
Dan Barry, Rental Network, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, won a custom equipment rental contract package donated by James Waite Law, Castle Rock, Colo. Barry said the Foundation does great work for American Rental Association (ARA) members. “It’s the best way to give back,” Barry said regarding the auction. “I wish I could do more.”
Darick Hemphill, General Rental Center, Springfield, Mo., was the winning bidder of the Mardis Gras-themed Sullair 185 Portable Air Compressor, donated by Sullair – A Hitachi Global Air Power Brand, Chicago. Hemphill commended the Foundation for its assistance to members after natural disasters such as fires and floods. He said the money “helps our group make bad times better. It helps a lot.”
Also included in this year’s festivities was a 50/50 raffle to help support Foundation programs. A total of $2,975 was raised through raffle ticket sales, and the winning number was drawn at the conclusion of the event. The lucky winner of 50 percent of the proceeds was Dan Ferris, CERP, of 247 Tents in Roanoke, Texas.
The 2024 ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception was sponsored by Ditch Witch, Mi-T-M Corp., Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America), SANY America and Trime US. 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 thearafoundation.org.
