For the past few years, as we’ve worked to support the mission of Food For Thought Outreach Inc., we’ve hosted an internal “silent” auction as a means of raising funds and awareness for the organization. Previous years’ auctions have included coveted parking spots, exhilarating paddleboard adventures, private yoga sessions and even one-on-one administrative help from members of our staff.
This year, in an auction conducted on Tuesday, August 11, we were pleased to raise nearly $16,000. One of the included items was this Cruzan Rum Collection bicycle in canary yellow.
Turns out, it has quite a history of its own, shared by its (now) previous owner, Keen Polakoff, with its highest bidder (and new owner) Denise Greene and our office. We found it interesting and thought you might, too.
Keen’s email went like this:
Congratulations, Denise, on your new bike!
She has a history. I first laid eyes on the bike while on display at Chan’s Wine World as a charity raffle about 10 or 12 years ago. That winner later donated it for an auction on a Sandestin Solaris Wine and Real Estate Cruise on Choctawhatchee Bay … that was the second time I lost out. Years later, that winner then donated it for an Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Auction and another patron won it at auction in a fierce run where, again, I lost the chance to ride the Rum Bike.
Then, one day as Kim and I sold a gulf-front home, there we crossed paths again, the Rum Punch was parked right there in the garage. The seller loved the story of how it had raised money so many times and gave it to us as a closing gift. I have enjoyed it thoroughly and as our own SSIR auction came into view, there was no question the bike was again ready to ride, she loves making money.
So, thank you for carrying the torch and supporting such a great cause.
Denise’s response:
If you would like to join our efforts in raising money for this great cause, please visit our team page at Give Lively. The virtual fundraiser continues through August 22.
