FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT, AGAIN, OF THE ADFED OF THE DESERT ADVERTISING AUCTION.

The overwhelming generosity of this Valley never ceases to amaze me.  Throughout the 12 years that I’ve called this desert my home, I’ve served on many non-profit boards, helped on fundraising events, and put my name on hundreds of silent auction bid sheets… only to be outbid time and time again.  But it’s all for a good cause, so step aside, I have to place another bid.

But I digress… So here I sit, finalizing another AdFed Advertising Auction Catalog, in absolute awe of the sheer total in donated services, broadcast time, print, outdoor and online marketing that have flooded my email.  About 4 years ago, I offered to chair the Auction committee, and we secured a record $145,000 in donations.  The year after, about $150,000, and then $165,000.  This year, under the leadership of Mandi Witkower, we are edging up to $190,000 in donations and forms are still rolling in!  Dayna Smith, Doug Kratky and Nicole Middleton are in on it too, urging their vendors to donate and participate.

And since AdFed typically realizes approximately 40% of the value at the Auction, we are looking at hopefully raising a whopping $75,000 for the organization, which will then fund education and scholarship programs.  Very. Cool.

So THANK YOU, Coachella Valley media and agencies.  This is a terrific achievement that no other community in the country can duplicate.  Most other AdFed groups have dropped their auction and gone on to other fundraising events, and few raise the funds like this one does.  But we, as a united group, have made this the signature event for our very own AdFed of the Desert, and I could not be prouder to be a part of this effort.

Now I have to get ready to buy up these deals on May 13 at the Auction.  So many deals, so little time…

For more info:  www.DesertAdFed.org

Participating Media and Agencies (in no particular order!)

Van Wagner Outdoor, Minuteman Press, Ace Printing, Palm Springs Life, FG Creative, The Public Record, The Standard, EZ 103.1 FM, The Desert Sun, Texas Monthly, Los Angeles Magazine, Kiner Communications, Press Enterprise Online, KESQ-Channel 3, Desert Entertainer, KCAL-FM, Roadway Ads, OC Weekly, CV Independent, KATY-FM, CVD Direct, Graphtek Interactive, Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce, American Cab, TravelHost Magazine, Kaminsky Productions, Indio Chamber of Commerce, Lamar Outdoor, R&R Broadcasting, Yellow Cab of the Desert, CV Weekly, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, Desert Radio Group, Cord Media, Clear Channel, Corey Airport Advertising, ESPN-LA 710, CBS Radio LA, KLOB-FM, Univision, Telefutura… and there will be more.