Well Gang, With these words our chief of ceremonies has opened the old shed for our.....
"9 PM Charity auction, At cycles de ORO, conducted by John Pergolizzi and assistants"
So...... ALL CR Listees, GET READY!!! For this years secret charity AUCTION!!! Yes, SECRET. Only open to those on this list.
PLEASE bring some unwanted bits (old N.O.S. 165mm Campy track cranks, rusty Singer frames, Baylis' old brazing rods ("do you think E-Ritchie has a longer rod? What about Weigle?).
BRING IT ALL!!!! I will auction it off. This all started as an impromptu "Hallway Auction" on the second floor of The Battle Ground in 2002! GREAT FUN!!! Last year's 2003 Auction's light rain gave us the opportunity to once again take advantage of Dale's boundless generosity and move from the wet parking lot outside of Cycles De Oro, to INSIDE where we will once again make noise and have fun! And what a WOW it was! Last year's benefit was able to raise $1,856.00 for the"Make a Wish Foundation". Do youse remember the look on my face when Johnny Barron told me that figure? I was expecting a few hundred bucks; maybe!
After much thought and looking through a some very worthy charitable organizations, I realized that I would like to confine my efforts and your donations to the benefit of children. This years charity auction's proceeds will go to a very wonderful organization: Operation Smile. Look them up at http://www.operationsmile.org , you will be impressed! Since 1982, Operation Smile's volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States, bringing them new hope and new lives. 90,000 children have been treated by thousands of volunteers and more than 10,000 health care professionals have been trained. 87% of cash and in-kind donations go directly to programs helping children. I really like this one, I hope you do also.
ALL I ask is that you donate a small percentage of the proceeds of your auctioned bits (10 to 20% suggested of the sellers end) to charity. Johnny Baron will again be assisting me in the auction as will Harvey Sachs who stepped up to the plate last year. These two guy's are GREAT!
So please bring your cash, bring your old bits. You've got lots of time to dig through those boxes under the bed and I know youse guy's got LOTS of old bike stuff that some other a youse will pay good money for. As long as the stuff holds out, so will my voice. I know that you all agree with me in this year's goal: to surpass last year's total of $1,856.00. Of money, AND fun!
Thanks,
John T.Pergolizzi
Brooklyn, New York