Live Auction Items

Lot # 1: A Week in Maui’s Paradise Spend a week in paradise at Maui Sunset – the perfect vacation home on Maui

Your island days can be filled with recreation and fun or long, lazy days on the beach. The property features a swimming pool with a hot spa and a large sun deck, two tennis courts, gas barbeque grills, a putting green, croquet and shuffleboard, an exercise room and an activity center by the pool. The luxurious one bedroom, two bath condominium sleeps five and features the convenience of a complete kitchen plus a large private lanai overlooking the gardens, the pool and the ocean.

After you’re done swimming in the ocean, visit one of the nine golf courses near by or enjoy the world’s largest dormant volcano at Haleakala National Park. In addition, you can enjoy the Hawaii Nature Center, the Maui Ocean Center, the Enchanting Floral Gardens and Tedeschi Vineyards, Hawaii’s first and only commercial winery.

Donor: Chris Mohn
Value: $800 - $1,000, depending on dates reserved.
Note: Redemption of this item is based on availability.

Lot #2: One Week at Sunset Lagoon Hotel and Marina Condo in Cancun, Mexico with Airfare for Two

If you are feeling the need to get away from it all, the Sunset Lagoon Hotel and Marina is definitely the best place to go. Your accommodations are a double suite which sleeps 6-8 people in comfort. Located in exotic Cancun, Mexico, this stunning resort leaves no stone unturned in offering you the best of amenities and services.

With its luxurious atmosphere, which will seduce your senses in a casual scenario, the resort has a swimming pool with water slide, three bars, restaurants, room services, snack bar, and an open-air theatre with dinner shows for your entertainment. During your week-long stay, indulge yourself with a massage or facial at SPA Sunset, which will stimulate your senses with the relaxing sounds from nature and an unparalleled view of the lagoon.

Donor: Thomas Harris, Continental Airlines
Value: $3,200
Note: There is a $74.95 per person, per day resort fee ($36.95 per child, 5-12 years) which covers all food, beverage and resort amenities. Reservations must be made at least 60 days in advance.

Lot #3: Six Days and Five Nights in Vail, Colorado with Airfare for Two

Are you more a snow bunny than a beach bum? Then this is the perfect vacation for you. With the winning bid, you’ll get to experience Vail in luxurious accommodations. With a retail value of $7,500, TheSociety.com’s elite homes cater to single-family getaways as well as large corporate retreats. Each property features magnificent architecture, expansive living spaces and exquisite finishes that will appeal to the most refined of tastes.

It’s no coincidence that these comfortable accommodations are frequented by celebrity guests year after year. Many of the homes available are built vertically into the mountain and offer magnificent Vail Valley views, access to Vail Ski Resort and boast 5,000 or more square feet of living space … and yes, in-home elevators are included! Fly into Denver on any major air carrier and allow your dream vacation to begin!

Notes: Reservation must be made 45 days in advance. A cleaning fee in the amount of $500 or 10% of the winning bid to be paid by winner (whichever is smaller).

Donors: TheSociety.com, Sandi White (airfare)
Value: $8,500

Lot #4: A Couples Weekend for Bereaved Parents at Faith’s Lodge in Danbury, Wisconsin

You can help bring healing and comfort to eight bereaved couples by bidding on this auction item. With your generosity, Faith’s Lodge in Danbury, WI will open its doors to eight bereaved couples and will be a getaway opportunity for learning, relaxation and grief therapy. The driving force behind Faith’s Lodge is to honor the memory of Faith Ann Lacek, the daughter of Susan and Mark Lacek, who was stillborn due to an unexplained umbilical cord accident.

As the Laceks journeyed through the grieving and healing process, they decided to create Faith’s Lodge as a way to help other families who have experienced a similar loss or whose children are facing a serious medical crisis. It is their hope that Faith’s Lodge will offer these families a place of sanctuary as they travel through their own healing journeys. Sessions will promote awareness, understanding, and improved communication between the sexes around the death of their baby. This tranquil Northwoods setting surrounded by soaring pines, open prairie, and gently rolling hills provides a peaceful place to refresh mind and spirit, while finding support from others who understand what you are experiencing.

Donor: Faith’s Lodge
Value: $4,000

Lot #5: NFL Pro Bowl All Star Weekend Experience with Airfare for Two

For the tried and true football fans in the room! Taking place in Aloha Stadium on in gorgeous Honolulu, Hawaii, the Pro Bowl is held the week after the Super Bowl. Pitting the best of the AFC against the best of the NFC, rosters are determined by player, coach and fan votes. This incredible package includes airfare for two, double-room accommodations for four days and three nights at the ocean-front Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel (where the teams will be staying, too!), two excellent (between 30-yard lines) seats at Aloha Stadium for Sunday, February 8 Pro Bowl Game, on-field access to team practice on the Friday before the game and Sunday Tailgate Party admission across from Aloha Stadium prior to the game. This will be one weekend you’ll never forget!

Donors: The Pittsburgh Steelers Organization, The National Football League
Value: $6,000

Lot #6: A Week in a Luxury Waterfront Villa Home in Naples, Florida with Airfare for Two

Live like royalty for a week in this luxuriously appointed waterfront villa offering exquisite views overlooking Moorings Bay. This unique residence includes its own private pool, spa, multiple balconies, outdoor water feature and a deeded boat slip, providing easy access to the Gulf. The breathtaking 3-bedroom plus den/exercise room, 4 ?-bath home evokes a Tuscan-like feel with its private elevator, gourmet kitchen, terrace and bar. The exterior features of the villa include an expansive lanai with summer kitchen and an attached two car garage. Using one of the major airline carriers, you and your guest will fly to sunny Florida to start your dream vacation. Beaches abound in this neck of the woods, so be prepared to scuba the day away and dine at some of the finest restaurants in Florida at night! Also, world-class golf, tennis, fishing and hiking are a stone’s throw away.

Donor: Bruce Mills/Mills Properties, Inc., Sandi White (airfare)
Value: $9,000
Notes: Week to be mutually agreed upon in 2009; Expires October 31, 2009.

Lot #7: South African Safari with Airfare for Two

Truly, the opportunity of a lifetime! The winning couple will be hosted for four days and three nights at a private game reserve for photographic safaris, in the heart of South Africa’s Great Karoo. The winners will fly from the US to Cape Town. Then, to get to the incredible Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve, you and your guest will fly from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and be met by a car and driver for the 3-hour drive across the Great Karoo to your Lodge (one of three beautifully converted Cape Dutch farmhouses). There is an option to travel instead by helicopter (30 minutes).

Also at your option, you might consider taking a full week for the roundtrip from the US by spending a couple of nights in gorgeous Cape Town, adjusting to the time zone and seeing its many sights. At Mount Camdeboo, you will be looked after like royalty. After being greeted with hot face towels, you’ll be shown to your sumptuous accommodations and be offered the finest of foods and wines. Game drives are in first-class Safari Range Rovers for all terrains and conditions. You will go searching for Cheetah, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Giraffe, Ostrich, many varieties of antelope and enjoy stunning views of some 35,000 acres of private habitat. As safety permits, some walking will be included and picnicking. When not on game drives, guests may swim, read, learn about nature, visit the local town of Graaff-Reneit (South Africa’s third oldest town) and soak up the beauty.

Notes: (Some drinks and extras at winner’s expense. Helicopter option and Cape Town stopover extra and must be reserved in advance.)

Donors: Africa Middle Market Fund, Mr. & Mrs. R.J. MacAlister, Angeline Marano, Sigma Sigma Sigma/University of Virginia
Value: $8,000