Annual RE/MAX Holiday Auction a Huge Success

Thanks to Realtors Nancy Hubbell and Marcia Geise, the Annual Holiday Auction was a smashing success. This year RE/MAX Realtors raised $1,531! They donated $200 to Gleaners Community Food Bank, which was doubled through their “matching” program.

The auction took place in the Brighton office auditorium on the week before Thanksgiving – an annual event. Dominic Vagnetti from Inspections on Demand brought in a continental breakfast on the morning of the auction for attendees to enjoy. Thanks to Dom, everyone was “spiced” up for the auction due to those delicious Pumpkin Rolls!

Several Realtors and agents made lasagna, bread pudding, specialty cakes while others donated paintings, fragrances and candles, clothing items, gym and trainer memberships, jewelry, statuary and plants. Hand-made items included wreaths (one with pheasant feathers from Joe DeKroub's hunting expeditions!), Japanese rice paper-wrapped real egg ornaments and boxes (made and donated by an agent who lived in Japan), and origami Chinese "good luck cranes" (made and donated by an Ann Arbor agent from China fluent in five languages/dialects).

Carl Vagnetti generously donated his “golden voice” to act as Master of Ceremonies. Realtor Nan Gregory made several of her famous desserts for the auction. November 15th was also the same day that her daughter delivered an extra special “dessert” of a new granddaughter. Congratulations, Nan, and what a thankful blessing to you and your family!

But that’s not all! Check out the video to see what became the best laugh of the auction – the “bidding war” between Julie Fischer & Russ Vail for a "secret" item donated by Dan Davenport. What was in that bag? Something special grown in his garden, and Julie was a great sport about her win. The record-setting bid was an astonishing $100+! Too bad Julie didn’t find a kitchen grater or some vinegar to preserve that prize vegetable!

RE/MAX agents also donated pantry items that were added to the groceries purchased by Marcia Geise and Darlene Mengyan. For the last three years, Meijer has given discounts to buy the $50 gift cards which purchase the groceries, plus a special price on multiple turkeys. VG Foods has also allowed us to buy turkeys at a discount – RE/MAX Platinum appreciates such generous help from local businesses.

On Tuesday, November 22nd, Marcia Geise coordinated the delivery of hundreds of pounds of food and an entire Thanksgiving turkey dinner to six local families, with the help of the Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program and Laura Germaine, Deb Harrison, Ken Ives and Judy Urban.

RE/MAX Platinum is thankful for everyone in our “family” for participating in this event.

—Meg Mims