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October 27 - 29, 2005
National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)
NAMA SEEKS DONATIONS FOR SILENT AUCTION
Proceeds Support NAMA Foundation, Make-A-Wish® of Georgia and Alabama
CHICAGO, IL— - Donations are currently needed for the sixth annual National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)  Silent Auction to benefit the NAMA Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Georgia and Alabama, Sue Ralston, CEM Associate Director, Trade Show Sales and Service for NAMA announced today.
Held during NAMA's National Expo in Atlanta, GA, Oct. 27-29, the event raises tens-of-thousands of dollars to fund industry research and scholarships through the NAMA Foundation. In addition, 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Georgia and Alabama to help grant the wishes of courageous children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions.
“We're appealing to the industry to contribute items that can be auctioned off at this important event which helps us support so many critical industry initiatives,” said Ralston. “Our industry has a long history of giving back to the community too, which is why we're delighted to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Georgia and Alabama,” she added.
Ralston said, “Even though we've just begun soliciting donations, we've already received a number of exciting ones including golf for three with Dick Atnip at the Hacienda Golf Club (dinner included), a digital camera and leather case, and a Wittnauer ladies watch. I'm very happy to see an enthusiastic response for such a worthwhile cause.”
Bidding on auction items will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, and end between 2 and 3 pm Friday, Oct. 28. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29, there will be a Second Chance Auction for all items that were unclaimed.
Gifts of any value are welcome, and over the years have included everything from airline tickets and “Get Away” hotel packages to golf clubs, artwork and vending items. Donations of larger gifts are especially important, although smaller items can be grouped together to create a gift collection. For more information contact Susi Graff at 312-346-0370.
“Since we began this program in 2000, we've raised critical funds that advance the causes so important to our industry even as we help grant the last wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. We want to make this year's event better than ever, and hope every single member of our industry will find it in his or her heart to participate,” concluded Ralston.
The NAMA Foundation was established in 1982, and works to assist in improving the image of vending internally and in the eyes of the general public. Special projects over the years have included sponsorship of industry and consumer research studies culminating with the Hudson Report in 1998. The Foundation is funded by grants from industry companies as well as member contributions.
The Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Georgia and Alabama is the result of a merger of three separate regional chapters, and has been granting wishes since 1986. It is dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its beginning the Foundation has reached more than 127,000 children world-wide. Locally Make-A-Wish® granted close to 400 wishes in 2004.
NAMA is the national trade association of the merchandise vending, office coffee service and contract food service industries. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies. The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and OCS industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization's founding. The organization relies solely on membership dues, Expo revenues and the generous donation of its sponsors.
Donations as of Aug. 10:
BBQ Grill Utensil Set - Allstate Insurance Company
Bill Counter - American Changer
Golf for Three with Dick Atnip at the Hacienda Gold Club, dinner included - Atnip Co., Inc.
Wittnauer Ladies Watch - Automatic Merchandiser
Digital Camera and Leather Case - Automatic Products International, ltd.
$100 Caribou Coffee Gift Card - Caribou Coffee Company
Two Cloverhill Bakery Golf Shirts - Cloverhill Bakery
Tilley Hat - eSecure Peripherals
One Case (20) Coin Acceptors - Imonex
Replica of Lance Display Jars - Lance, Inc.
Collectibles - McKee Foods Corp.
25-Pound Salted Nut Roll - Pearson Candy Company
Golf Bag with PepsiCo Foodservice Logo - PepsiCo Foodservice
Logo Freezer Bag - Purnell's “Old Folks” Sausage Company Inc.
$1 and $5 Bill Acceptor - Pyramid Technologies Inc.
Vacuum Grip Handle - Ultra Lift Corporation
Full Page, 4-Color Ad in Vending Times July Buyers Guide - Vending Times
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