HEART & SOUL AUCTION 2003 AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA

The Threat of war in Iraq and an alarmingly weak stock market impacted but did not prevent a successful outcome to the annual Heart & Soul Auction. This year's event was held at the Waldorf Astoria in the elegant and spacious Starlight Room on February 13, 2003. Anne Bradley, the event's treasurer reported that the gross proceeds were $265,000, equal to last year's accomplishment, demonstrating philanthropic generosity despite uncertain times. In 2002, the auction raised $58,000 more than the prior year. The money raised will fund a variety of community outreach programs. Nearly 400 tickets to the gala were sold.

Steven Lash

Bidding was earnest and generous in both the silent and live auctions. All Souls member Stephen Lash, Chairman of Christie's America, New York City, was the auctioneer. Using wit and gentle prodding, he urged the bids upward. He is one of the founders of the Heart & Soul Auction, and has donated his services to the Auction for many years. The range of items offered on the Internet and in the silent and live e auctions included restaurant dinners, personal services, imaginative holiday trip packages and hotel stays, vacation homes, photographs and evening gowns. One could bid for dinner at Bouley, a trek in the Central American Rain Forest, a visit to Disney World, skiing in Aspen, a collagen facial or tickets to the Big Apple Circus.

Direct contributions to four of the All Souls outreach programs could be made at the live auction. The programs were listed as lots in the sale along with descriptions of their objectives. The response was remarkably enthusiastic. The bids for these lots totaled $82,150. The Booker T. Washington Learning Center received $35,600 in donations; the AIDS Initiative, $10,200; the Scouting Programs, $18,850; and Monday Night Hospitality and the Friday Soup Kitchen, $17,500. Each of these programs will receive additional funding from money raised from all the other segments of the auction.

"This is the first year auction items were on the Internet and I expect this to be a big area for growth," said Bill Bechman, Chairman of the Heart & Soul Fund Board. "We have already started planning for next year." Deborah Jackson, the Auction Chairman for 2003 and Anne Bradley, the Chairman for 2002 will be co-chairs for the gala in 2004. Additional sources of individual donations, corporate and foundation funding will be pursued. We hope to have a greater range of donations through the efforts of the Auction Committee and supporters of All Souls. The Internet presentation will be expanded. Plans for more targeted publicity are being developed and many innovations are already under discussion. "This effort will take more time to realize in an enterprise that is already an enormous undertaking." Bill added.

"We are thrilled that Deborah Jackson has enlisted three Columbia University Business School students to write grant proposals to corporations and foundations to underwrite auction expenses and outreach programs. They are unpaid interns, but they receive course credit for their work," said Anne. "It is an inspired idea with enormous potential."

Next year's auction has already been scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2004.

Anne, Deborah and Bill are hopeful that through the Internet auction, a wider audience can be reached beyond the immediate All Souls family. Each year, All Souls' outreach programs have grown. Since recent substantial cuts in government spending, particularly in the area of social services, the need for community generosity has become even more essential. By attracting a wider circle to participate in the auction, higher funding goals may be achieved.

The Heart & Soul Fund seeks donations throughout the year. Everyone is encouraged to talk to potential donors about the auction. Among many possible contacts, are: restaurant, hotel and theatre managers, vacation homeowners, and service providers of all kinds, art gallery directors and heads of schools, ranging from Berlitz and the Culinary Institute to Oxford University. If you have any suggestions or leads please contact the Heart & Soul Fund office at (212)-821-9640, or visit our website at www.heartandsoulauction.org.

	Deborah Jackson (Chairman), Steven Lash (Auctioneer), and Bill Bechman (Heart & Soul Foundation President) at the 2003 Heart & Soul Auction in the Starlight Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Bidders eagerly competing on the auction floor and at the Silent Auction boards beyond.