Bill Burgess honored by North Texas Rehabilitation Center, April 25, 2009

Friends of the NTRC in Wichita Falls, Texas, honored long-time auctioneer Bill Burgess of Bunger, Texas, by “buying” the Rehab saddle sculpture for $10,000 in his name at the annual fundraising auction for the Rehab Center on April 25, 2009. Burgess was honored for over twenty years of service given in selling the fundraising auction.

The saddle is actually a metal sculpture of an early frontier saddle created and donated by renowned Midland sculptor, W.C. “Scooter Bill: Richardson, in 1991 to support the work of the Center. Each year the sale of the saddle launches the benefit auction, and the honoree’s name is etched on the saddle. The auction opening price for the saddle is $10,000, and it is donated back after each purchase. This year, the saddle was sold nine times at $10,000 each tying the record set in 2008. To date, the saddle has been sold 67 times honoring individuals, couples and groups and has raised $670,000 to support the outstanding work of the North Texas Rehabilitation Center for their client patients. The saddle concept proved so popular that the artist, with the generous support of the Stanley Williamson family, had to sculpt a second saddle when the original ran out of space for engraving the recipients’ names. The Rehab saddles are on display in the lobby of the Rehab Center at 1005 Midwestern Parkway in Wichita Falls.

Lone Star Auctioneers and Burgess Auctioneers help raise over a quarter million dollars for the North Texas Rehabilitation Center at the 41st Annual Rehab Auction.

It took Bill Burgess, Marilyn Burgess, Sim Burgess and Ed Lanford less than 2 1/2 hours to sell the Rehab Center’s Annual Fundraising Auction and Dinner on Saturday night, April 25th. They helped raised over $260,000. With the help of Center staff working as announcers and bidspotters and with spirited bidding from long-time and first time supporters, the auctioneers contributed to successful fundraising that exceeded the Center’s target goal. Among the 100 donated items sold were a five day stay in a beautifully restored, historic adobe house in Santa Fe, NM; four plates of Barbara Mayo’s famous fudge for $8000; sports tickets; other vacation travel packages; handmade items including quilts, jewelry, knives, and furniture; gourmet dinners, group catering events; dozer work; day hunts and two loads of gravel.

In the 20 years these auctioneers have been selling the Rehab auction, they have helped to raise over $4 million to benefit the Center and its clients. Actually, we have done only the easy part. We manage to make it look hard. Special thanks go to Wilson Scaling, Auction Trail Boss; Mike Castles, NTRC President; Susan Knowles-Martin and other Center staff, leagues of volunteers and supporters, auction item donors, chuck wagon cooks and cowboys and the generous support of area citizens who accomplished the really hard work of making each year’s fundraiser such a smashing success. However, we do appreciate the kindness expressed by Ms. Knowles-Martin, Director of Marketing/Development, NTRC:

“Thanks again to you, Marilyn, Bill and the whole gang for making our Auction flow so well. Y'all are wonderful and really make our event great! We couldn't do it without you.”

Our personal thanks go out to all of the staff and supporters for the wonderful work they do. There are just too many to name. The Annual Rehab Auction is one of the true highlights of our auction year, every year.