I was very fortunate to be introduced to the Giving GreyMoms raffles and auctions shortly after I got my first greyhound, Annabelle, a little over a year ago. I enjoyed participating in the program but also took special note of how Angela coordinated her raffles as I do fundraising for the Borzoi Club Of America's (BCOA's) rescue program. The BCOA Rescue Committee has successfully initiated a raffle program which does "mimic" those of the Giving GreyMoms (and we have successfully raised $3500 for Borzoi Rescue in just 6 months!!)
I was particularly interested when Angela announced that she was starting to do Benefit Auctions in addition to the Giving GreyMoms Fundraisers. I knew that the Borzoi community would some day have an emergency where an auction (as opposed to a raffle) would be the best way for us to go to raise some money quickly--and I knew I did not have the capacity to run an online auction myself.
Such an emergency did recently arise--a family from Maine which are long-time members of the Borzoi community (they own 5 Borzoi, 1 GSD, and 1 cat) had their home struck by lightening in a severe summer storm. The family and all the pets made it out of the home safely but their home burned to the ground and was a total loss. Along with being the BCOA Rescue Chair, I am the BCOA Governor for the northeastern US where the Kelly's live. They are also personal friends of mine. I started to receive e-mails from people asking if they could donate something that we could raffle or auction off to benefit the Kelly's.
When thinking about putting together an auction, the first person I thought to contact was Angela Curtis. Angela's response was amazing!! She started putting together an auction page almost immediately, contacted other GreyMoms to increase the number of items that could be offered in the auction, and was all set to start the auction for the Kelly's in less than a week.
The auction had a huge amount of traffic ($2696 in bids!!!), and Angela always updated the bids quickly, sent out out-bid notices to ask if people wanted to make a new bid, and was very accomodating about adding items to the auction for the first few days the auction was open. I have heard nothing but praise from the Borzoi community about how professionally the auction was run. Angela follows the auction up by sending out winning notices to the bidders, collecting the checks for the bids, and then making sure the auction items are sent out to their new owners. The fee that Angela charges for these services is minimal compared to the quantity of work she must do for each auction.
I know the Kelly family is very grateful to the overwhelming response that was given to the auction for their benefit. Angela's "special touches" are what made this auction a resounding success!!
Dr Maureen Bardwell
BCOA Region 1 Governor & Rescue Chair
Auction for Tractor
On behalf of " Homestretch Greyhound Adoptions " I would like to take a moment to thank Angela Curtis for her tireless and professional efforts.
She put together an auction for Tractor, a very special greyhound who came to us with bone cancer.
Without Angelas help we have no idea how we would have met Tractors tremendous medical expenses..
In 1 week,Angela did what it would have taken us a couple months to do.
I have no idea where all her energy comes from,but the woman is a saint !!!
She performs miracles for complete strangers,out of the goodness of her heart and a profound love and respect for the sighthound family..
>From beginning to end,Angela is a white tornado of efficiency and professionalism,all the while making you feel like a part of her own family.
She does absolutely everything,and walks those of us who have little to no experience through the whole procedure with infinite patience..
She follows through on every detail,and makes a huge project seem like a breeze....
Bless Angela and her circle of helpful friends who make such a difference in the lives and wellfare of helpless creatures who depend so much on her and us...And thank you Angela for all you have done for us,and will continue to do for others in need in the future......
Sincerely,
Paula LaPorte and Homestretch Greyhound Adoptions
My Trial Auction for Onyx & Greyhound Crossroads
(I kept no proceeds from this event)
"I wanted to publicly thank Angela Curtis of A and B Originals for running
an auction to raise money for my foster boy, Onyx. He's had some vet bills
stack up and our adoption group was running out of funds for him...and
Angela's test run auction for her new "business" raised over $600 to help
us get Onyx well and ready for his forever home. (He's one of the Black
Beauties on Jeanni's page.) Angela did this on her own, not as a function
of the giving greymoms...and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts. I
told her, I wish I could bring Onyx to her so he could give her big Thank
Roos kisses!"
"Also, let me highly recommend this new service that Angela is
providing! For a very nominal fee, she will run the auction for you and do
all the work...all you do is provide her with the items for sale and wait
for your funds to raise. :) She's doing all that she does for the love of
hounds in need, and we want to thank her. :)"
Nancy Lassiter and the Zoo
I would like to send a personal endorsement to Angela and the work she does with online auctions.
From start to finish, her auction was professional all the way. Her pages were clear, and the bidding process easy to use. Bids were updated continually and fairly. The descriptions and pictures were complimentary to the items for sale, contributing to the auction as a whole.
After the sale she continued to follow-through to completion. Her instructions to the winning bidders was done promptly and clearly, with reminders sent to those who didn't immediately send payment. She stayed in contact with us throughout the entire process in order to give us updates and suggestions. As the checks started to arrive, she continued to stay in touch with me assuring that all monies were collected and merchandise mailed out.
She did our adoption group a great service with this auction and I wouldn't hesitate a moment in recommending her to anyone interested in using her service. As director, I deal with people every day just as I do the emergency bills being covered with the proceeds from this auction. Angela helped us tremendously in a very professional manner. She really ran a wonderful, profitable auction start to finish!
I will be more than happy to answer questions about Angela's auctions or this recommendation. Please feel free to contact me directly at GreyCrazy@aol.com any time!
Kim Owens
Director
Greyhound Crossroads
Chappells, SC
Auction for Princess
Words cannot express our gratitude to Angela Curtis for running the Fundraiser Auction to help with our excessive medical bills for Princess. This service being provided by Angela is invaluable. Angela’s fundraiser auctions are very well done, professional and accurate. She is sincerely dedicated to the welfare of the Hounds. For a nominal fee (worth far more) she can help Greyhound groups with extraordinary expenses. The Fundraiser Auction for Princess helped us tremendously with the vet bill, but more than that, we continue to realize we are never alone in our work. People come forward nation-wide, people who care, and remind us we are not alone. It’s heartwarming and we are grateful.
Diane Henning
Director
Greyhound Rescue of New England
Mendon, MA
