Has Trad Gang gotten too large?

[Mudd]

Here's a challenge!!! For all of those who participated in Tradgangs' fun "White Elephant dealings" take a look in your goodies from it and see what you might part with. I don't think the person who sent you your "White Elephant" package will be offended if they see something in the auction that they sent to you. I sure hope David Camp aka Shinken doesn't mind...lol since I'm going to pick out something from the package to add to the auction. I think I'll also just enjoy going back over everything again! (yeppers) It's still in the box if it's something I haven't put to use already and I know exactly where the box is since its still sitting beside my chair at the kitchen table where I opened it...lol

Anyway that's my challenge to those tradgang members who know who you are!!

God bless,Mudd

[BobCo 1965]

Just wanted to comment on the original post. When I first signed up on tradgang, I had no idea what the St. Judes auction was all about. I saw posts and such but really didn't particpate because nothing was really explained well. After I was in tradgang a while I got the hang of it better and ended winning a hunting trip with Joe and Shaun which will last a lifetime of memories for myself and buddy.

Maybe it would be possible to put something up when a person signs up explaining the auction, just so they are aware of it.

I read through a lot of posts on this thread, and am having a hard time with comments of percentages going toward this or that or the CEO's salary, etc. Seems kind of sad to me. Everything seems to be better then in line IMO, but some people fail to see it.

[Terry Green]

Yep, it is sad to see the attitudes of some trying to destroy the efforts by others, and the kids are in the balance.  Also sad to see a couple of members 'fall on their swords'....but they showed their true colors of the opposing flag.

"The Dogs are a barkin, but the caravan keeps moving" - Dick Cheney

I don't see that good 50 to 55 pound short left hand recurve on the list yet. There are certainly a couple of things that I plan on winning, but I have a question.  I will not be home from my Canadian trip until June 17, I apologize in advance for the late payment.  I will gladly add the 3% when using paypal, does each item I plan on winning need to be payed for separately or would it be better to lump them together?

[lpcjon2]

To any who feel that they are being forced to donate or may feel guilty,Thats your conscience talkin to ya.Just think of all the time you spent complaining about the way you perceived Whip's thread.How much was that time worth,maybe $1.00 or $2.00 that dollar could have made a difference.If you want to borrow a dollar to donate I will give you one!
 Just a thought what if someone close to you needed the services of St.Jude would you want us to run an auction then!
  Take the lint from your naval and put it in the auction and I will bid on it! it will make a few bucks!
and I was an EMT/FF volunteer for 15 yrs and I did it for me not recognition.look up the word volunteer.
God bless all who contribute.Tim

[Biggie Hoffman]

lpcjon, I'll take one..

wayne hoffman
PO Box 477
Gray Ga 31032

[lpcjon2]

Biggie,I was going to say I didn't want your naval lint!My wife would ask why I bought a squirrels nest...LOL
  I will send you your dollar!But I want to see your bid!

I will bid on Biggies recurve if he tells me what it pulls, but I don't want him to lose any belly button lint over it.  there is no way i am bidding on any ones bb lint.  Maybe it is just jealousy on my part, ever since my surgery last year and the reason before for that said surgery, I don't ever have any myself to offer for bidding.

[Whip]

No worries at all pavan, you'd be there if you could, but have your own things to deal with and you need to keep your focus on that.  We're all behind you 100%, and no explainations are necessary.  Just your positive comments and attitude help more than you will ever know.  

As someone mentioned before, cheerleaders are also a big part of the auction every year.  Those you might not be able to afford to bid can certainly egg on those that can.  Help to keep items from slipping too far to the bottom of the bidding threads.  

Bernie is the biggest St. Jude cheerleader ever, and as he would say, nip at their heals like a small barking dog, and help to push as far as we collectively can.  

The auction is all great fun, and if you haven't experienced it before, take a little time this year to check it out.  There is plenty of good natured ribbing, and some of the most spirited bidding happens when two good friends decide to go head to head.  

The generosity and goodwill displayed on the auction each year is a true inspiration, and you would have to see it to believe it.  I've seen people fight like cats and dogs bidding an item up far beyond its real value.  And then afterwards, the winning bidder sent the item to the guy that was bidding against him.  Stranger things than Biggie's belly lint have brought real dollars for the kids.  (Well, maybe that would be the strangest if he does it!)  Biggie, if you donate it and I win, will you ship it to someone else?    

Some things go high, and others are bargains - both ends of the spectrum are found every year.  For those that haven't participated before, the only way you will ever really know what the St. Jude auction is all about is to at least visit it this year, and see for yourself.  I'm guessing you will be amazed!

[Terry Green]

Thanks for the comment Walt....much appreciated...but I'm gonna do something anyway.

Not sure what yet....been busy moving listings all morning.

[Mudd]

"Just your positive comments and attitude help more than you will ever know." .....Whip!

"Sometimes folks are in such a position that all they can give is applause.. and applause and cheerleaders are always welcome and needed."...me!

[Eugene Slagle]

Then for this round, I'll be a cheer leader...

[lpcjon2]

Just an example of what a dollar could do.I just put up for auction $10.00 worth of scratch off lottery tickets.Thats ten chances to win.That way we all win

  Eugene the thought of you in a camo skirt doing a split is making my day.Thanks Tim

I have to go away for a couple of days, music stuff, but i am giving fair warning to all those eyeing the stuff I will be bidding on, Tuesday June 1, the hammer comes down. Good luck.

[Biggie Hoffman]

I'll donate the bb lint but someone will have to pick it out for me....I can't see it!

[lpcjon2]

Isn't that why you got married? Oh and I just mailed you dollar.

[Doc Nock]

I've stayed out of this one up till now. I can understand that folks have other things as many have said... and things close to their heart. Anyone new, who hasn't gone through a few of these auctions... should read the old ones in archive and see the rediculous, hilarious, banter and humor that goes on for days on end.  

The past few of these caught me with nothing to give or spend...but knowing that I could use some stuff...I bid early at what I could afford and was always out bid... there were a few sleeper items that somehow came my way.

 Few years back, I've gotten a custom built piece of oak furniture from a guy in MD who was close enough we split the distance and got to share a chat at our exchange place...

Mostly, I have poked, prodded and just heckled my way through for many years... and in the process, I've built some tremendous friendships over time here mostly through the banter on the auction.

I have a Children's Hospital right in my back yard. I worked at one in VA (Norfolk) for years. Neither have the 'heart' of St. Judes and I'm old enough that I remember the telethons that Danny Thomas did for many, many years...

There are many, many incredible things offered up that I would love to bid on... but I can't and still cannot. I'm just glad that others can and do! MOre power to them! And then when those hunts or great bows or knives go on a hunt, we all get to share in the stories of those grand items!

But I will bid and I will make sure that nobody steals anything!!    

As said, it's been a personally rewarding experience to have so many friendships evolve from the teasing and chiding and fun of the auction...and then to know I've been some 'tiny' part of raising money for sick kids..

... read my tag line...it's been there a long, long time and it will never change--both as a tribute to a person I admired then who still works so hard for 'life-limited kids' and for the cause itself.

[Eugene Slagle]

Originally posted by lpcjon2:
Just an example of what a dollar could do.I just put up for auction $10.00 worth of scratch off lottery tickets.Thats ten chances to win.That way we all win

  Eugene the thought of you in a camo skirt doing a split is making my day.Thanks Tim

I'll be sure to wear my purdiest one then.  

[BowHuntingFool]

Excellent post Joe, you got me involved after reading this thread! I'm a first time donor and will continue to do so! Thanks for the little nudge to get me goin! Cheers!

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I have posted a longbow for auction but don't know how to post pictures of it...help please.