On Saturday evening we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2012 Medical Teams International Field of Dreams dinner and auction. The dinner was held at Safeco field in Seattle, the Mariners baseball stadium. The dinner tables were set up on the infield.
The Mission of Medical Teams International is to demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world. They shipped over $129 million in medical supplies and humanitarian aid to 66 countries. Their mobile dental program volunteers treated over 17,000 needy patients throughout Washington, Oregon and Minnesota, providing $8 million of free or low-cost dental care.
As we entered the stadium we had the choice to get our credit card swiped for any bid we might win during the evening event. We walked through a long very realistic and dramatic display of the types of situations where Medical Teams International travels to serve. Places like Haiti after the devastating earthquake where their help is ongoing. After the display area there was a silent auction area.
Down on the field was the dinner and live auction. There were some really great vacations, sports events, dining events and art to bid on. Everything was way over our heads. Some items went for over $10,000 dollars which was really wonderful. There was a Fund a Need time during the auction where you could hold up your bid card to make a straight donation in the amounts of $50,000, $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $1000, $500, $250 and $100. There were a few people that donated $50,000 and a lot of people who held up their card for the other amounts, finally I was able to hold up my card with confidence!
Last year at this event they raised $1.36 million. I wouldn’t be surprised if they surpassed that amount on Saturday night.
Our son and daughter in law with one of our son’s partner’s at Axia Home Loans who purchased the table for the evening and is involved with this mission. This next photo is of the 3rd partner and his fiance (on the right) and friends.
There were a couple of items I held my card up for at the beginning of bidding even though I knew I couldn’t win.
There were a lot of celebrities at the event. Mack Strong was the emcee for the evening. He was a fullback with the Seattle Seahawks. John Curley was the auctioneer. He is a radio show host. He really kept things moving and kept us laughing with his energy and wit.
To the left of the table #28 in the photo above is Steve Sarkisian the University of Washington Football coach. He threw footballs out to bidders in the crowd for $2000 dollars and up. Other celebrities, pastors, business owners and politicians were at this event and it was fun to see a face you are familiar with that you usually only see on TV. I was also pleased to see sponsers like Alaska Airlines, ExOfficio, Lifewise Health Plan, Boeing, Wells Fargo and many others.
Contributions of thousands of volunteers’ time and millions of dollars in donated medicines, supplies and equipment help Medical Teams International help make 97% of all donations go toward helping those they serve. That is a very impressive percentage! We felt privileged to be a part of this wonderful event and see the generosity of the people who attended.
Thank you Josh and Laura for inviting us to sit at table #15 at this great event!
I’ll be linking up with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
Have a great week everyone!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Now that looks like a lot of fun…and all for a good cause!
What a fun and wonderful way to raise money. Sounds like a great cause too. Wonderful post, have a great week ahead.
An interesting experience, Ellen. I’ve been invited to a similar event but declined, knowing I didn’t have deep enough pockets.
Wow. That was a wonderful fundraising event. I’m always shocked to learn that some people still have some money. ☺
The Sounders dinner would have been Fabulous!!! Too bad it wasn’t going for Goodwill prices 😉
This looks like a wonderful event, Ellen. The photos are fabulous!
How wonderful to hear how generous everyone was. I know you enjoyed being there!
That is one amazing fundraising event! We just had ours a few weeks ago and raised on $73,000. We thought we did great!!
What great pictures you took of this fund raiser! It looks like everyone enjoyed themselves.
Looks like you had a beautiful evening for a fun time at the ball park! Sounds like a wonderful ministry. That is a great picture of Josh and Laura…such an attractive couple! 🙂
Sounds like a good night. Valerie
What a wonderful and worthwhile event to help people in need!!! The need for health and dental care is so great around the world!
What a great evening for a worthy cause. Health and dental care is needed in so many places around the world. How wonderful to be able to give to those less fortunate. You all look like you had an enjoyable time.
What a great event at a field of dreams! Looks like a lot of fun at table #15.
I was wondering why you were down on the field and for what event. I thought maybe it had something to do with the Sounders. Medical missions is even better!
What a fun and worthwhile event! And right up your Alley – or should I say “Arena”!
What an exciting event!!! And oh my goodness what good is being done Thank you for sharing!
Looks like a really fun event and a wonderful time! And for a great cause! Perfect evening 🙂
That looked like fun. I’d have been a bit nervous with a pre-swiped card – I’d have kept my number under the table!
What an exciting charitable event ot attend! I’m so glad that it was a success with so many generous contributors,and will continue to give aid to so many in need
Wow, sounds like a fun night!
A wonderful ministry! My friend, who directs a Pregnancy Centre, does a similar fund-raising event although on a considerably smaller scale. This year they are having Billy Graham’s daughter, Ruth, come to speak. It should be a good night.
Sounds like a fabulous evening for all!!
That is quite an event and for a wonderful cause. Dinner looked delicious too.
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Great blog, Ellen looks like a wonderful time
With your family! Your family is blessed
To have you, girlfriend.
Lots of joy and happiness always!
Your friend Gloria Rosenstein Rightman