2006 Fundraising at the NYFB State Annual Meeting included a Basket Bonanza SUCCESS story!

The 2006 fundraising at the NYFB State Annual Meeting included three main fundraisers: Basket Bonanza, Live Auction, and Foundation Breakfast.

The Basket Bonanza replaced the old Silent Auction. It offered for bid 20+ "themed" baskets plus a few other items. The themes were "pre-selected" and the creativity of the donor determined exactly what each basket contained. All baskets were showcased as spectators cast their silent bids.

We offered the opportunity to purchase advertising space in the catalog, which was be available at the event in addition to distribution at other Foundation events that preceded the Basket Bonanza. That means even more exposure.

We had many who showcased their support of agricultural education in New York State by being a part of our First Annual Basket Bonanza. If you have any questions regarding this event, or the activities of the Foundation, please feel free to contact our office at 1-800-342-4143.

Items for the Live Auction were solicited from the NYFB County Farm Bureaus within specific Districts. The District selection will rotate each year -- for 2006 they included Districts 8, 9 and 10. The counties within each District worked together to find an item to include in the Live Auction that was unique to their area. We were also pleased to have a "autographed" Sabres hockey stick sent from the Buffalo-Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Another new event is our Foundation Breakfast. We offered tickets to this event -- because seating was limited. Our speaker, Joe Peck, Saratoga County humorist and farmer entertained us and demonstrated a need for ag understanding through his humorous tales and interpretations.

And for those who really don't like change -- we kept two of our old events -- the Personal Choice Raffle and the Used Book Sale.

If you are interested in contributing a basket for this event, please feel free to contact the Foundation office at 1-800-342-4143 for more detailed information. New basket descriptions will be developed for the 2007 Basket Bonanza, but we are always open to creativity of donors!

Find a list of 2006 Baskets here.