Lori and Mike Jones, (on right) owners of the America’s Auction Academy present a check for $109,450.75 to Dave McKee, COO of ALSAC-St. Jude on behalf of their students and instructors November 17, 2009 at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis to commemorate the total amount donated by the school to the hospital to date.
January 13, 2010 (DALLAS, TX) – Mike and Lori Jones, Owners of the America’s Auction Academy in Dallas recently returned from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis where they presented a check on behalf of their graduates and instructors in the amount of $109,405.75. The check represents the funds raised by the school since their relationship started with the hospital.
“Ever since I visited the hospital back in 1998, I have been dedicated to having the school conduct an auction each quarter to help raise money for those kids” says Mike Jones, the schools owner who added, “Reaching $100,000 is fantastic but now we have a new target ….$200,000”. Jones went on to say, “There is no way we could have accomplished this without the love, dedication and support of our great students, instructors and staff.”
The visit coincided with the NAA/St. Jude Children’s Auction held annually at the hospital and conducted by the 2009 International Auctioneer Champions. The young cancer patients of St. Jude attend the auction and buy new toys with Danny Dollars named after hospital founder Danny Thomas. The America’s Auction Academy was presented the NAA-ST. JUDE Horizon Award in 2006 for Loyal & Dedicated Service and for Keeping the Dream Alive. The next America’s Auction Academy fundraiser will be held in March during the next class session.
The America’s Auction Academy was founded in 1992 in Dallas, TX by Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA, International Auctioneer Champion and past president of the National and Texas Auctioneers Associations for the purpose of training and educating individuals interested in pursing a career as a professional auctioneer, business owner or auction company staff member. Since 1998, school graduates have conducted fundraising auctions benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. In 2006, the America’s Auction Academy was presented with the Horizon Award by St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The America’s Auction Academy is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission and is recognized as one of the leading auctioneer training schools in the world with graduates from across the U.S., and as far away as China, New Zealand and Canada. Instructors include Champion Auctioneers, Hall of Fame members, Past National and State Association leaders and successful industry specialists. Individuals interested in a career in auctioneering or the America’s Auction Academy should visit the website at www.texasauctionacademy.com or contact Lori Jones at 972-387-4200.
