THE ANNUAL HEART & SOUL AUCTION—2008
—by Lois Chazen

The forbidden word “recession” has only been whispered in some quarters, although multiple market indicators now define it as a reality. Yet, the 19th annual Heart & Soul Auction held at Christie’s on Wednesday, February 13, garnered over $394,000—just $29,000 short of last year’s all time high of $423,000 in gross proceeds. The largest growth was in the category of Committee Membership that brought in $68,000. This was $20,000 more than last year. “The difference,” reported Liz Brown, Auction Coordinator, “is that Mark Leeds, Benefit Committee Chair, enlisted the members in the fall when economic conditions were uncertain but stronger than several months later when the Live and Silent Auctions took place and the economy worsened.”

“We were very pleased that we did as well as we did to overcome immutable obstacles. The income the 2008 Auction generated will be sufficient to fund many outreach programs selected by the Grants Committee of the Heart & Soul Charitable Fund,” said Kerianne Flynn, Auction Co-Chair with Greg Slamowitz. “This year, we had a greater number, and in many cases, finer quality of offerings in terms of trips, hotels, luxury services and beautiful items than ever before. However, because of the economy, people didn’t bid as high and several of our outreach programs listed in the Live Auction were not fully funded.” For many years, Stephan Lash, Chairman of Christie’s America, has donated the space for the exhibition and sale at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza headquarters as well as the participation of some Christie’s staff. He was, as always in the past, witty and indefatigable as auctioneer and did much to assist in the event’s success.

Bringing the annual Heart & Soul Auction to fruition requires the effort of many volunteers as well as financial supporters and contributors, donors of trips, services and hard goods. The fundamental planning is the responsibility of the Heart & Soul Charitable Fund, Inc. C. William Bechman is the longtime president. There are multiple expenses involved such as the printing of invitations and catalogues, catering, the auction coordinator’s salary and other necessities. Year-round office space is provided pro bono at 200 Park Avenue by Mark Leeds. Last year, 19 organizations benefited from nearly $300,000 in net proceeds. This year’s expenses are not yet available to compare this year’s net proceeds with last year’s. For the first time, income and expenses include donations of funds and works of art from the Inaugural Invitational Art Sale held in December. A more detailed discussion of the Art Sale appears elsewhere in this issue.

Warren Yeh, Grants Committee Chairman, reports that this year, he plans to enlist church members to assist in the day-to-day operations of the outreach programs his committee selects. Each member of the nine-member committee seeks out and recommends each applying organization and examines its financial statements and reviews its proposal of needs and purposes. Once this is successfully completed, the entire Committee interviews the organization’s chief officer. “Monday Night Hospitality and Friday Night Soup Kitchen are already staffed largely by All Souls members,” said Warren. “We want to interest the growing number of All Souls groups whose talented members have a wealth of varied expertise. There are the Young Adults, the 30s/40s Group, the recently formed Circle of Elders and many others, who could perform invaluable service. This will also enhance monitoring of how our funding is used to best advantage.” Some examples of programs that could benefit are: Project Sunshine, which provides free programs and services to children with cancer, AIDS and other life threatening illnesses; TADA!, which provides theatrical training for children from all backgrounds; and, Everyday Wins!, a one-on-one literacy and mentoring program aimed at increasing a child’s success in school leading to a more secure foundation for the future.

Jim Watkins, co-anchor with Kaity Tong of the Channel 11 News at Ten, active in Project ALS, the Leukemia Society, Ronald McDonald House and the New York Center for Autism, was honored and accepted his award before the Live Auction.

Next year, Kerianne will co-chair the Heart & Soul Auction with her husband, Jim Flynn. “Our goal is to break the $500,000 mark and to enlarge the scope of the Heart & Soul audience. It will be the twentieth year of this event,” she concluded, “and we are discussing new ideas and approaches with the Board of Trustees of the Heart & Soul Charitable Fund, our Advisory Committee and all the other people who work so hard toward the success of the Auction and in turn, to fund our outreach programs.”

Stephen Lash holds forth at the Live Auction at Christie’s, Rockefeller Plaza.	Kerianne & Jim Flynn
Warren Yeh	Greg Slamowitz, Bill Bechman and Kerianne Flynn

The Angie Henry Utt
Lecture