CBU Auctions AiA Archives

Dillon’s KC BBQ

June 20, 2018

Over the years we have formed some incredible partnerships with local establishments across the valley, and in January of 2017 we were proud to add Dillon’s KC BBQ to that list. The Dillon’s Restaurant concept began in 1998, when Co-Owner George Valverde approached Rich Dillon to partner together to bring reality to Valverde’s vision. That vision DID become a reality bringing authentic Kansas City barbecue to the Valley of the Sun.

Our partnership with Dillon’s began with a single Auctions in Action (AiA) silent auction at the Arrowhead location. Fast forward 18 months and you will now find AiA’s at all four Dillon’s locations: Arrowhead, Thunderbird, Wildlife World Zoo and Lake Pleasant. Since that first silent auction we have now raised over $32k for deserving charities and non-profits!

The Arrowhead and Thunderbird locations were the first locations opened by Valverde and Dillon. Newly renovated, these locations are an ideal place to gather family and friends to enjoy amazing BBQ in a comfortable, at-home atmosphere.

The Wildlife World Zoo location is something you have never experienced. BBQ, drinks, and sharks…yes, we said SHARKS! Featuring a 60,000 gallon shark tank, this location is a one-of-a-kind, can’t miss experience.

Lake Pleasant is Dillon’s newest and largest location of the four. Located in Pleasant Harbor Marina at Lake Pleasant, you will enjoy amazing food, incredible views and weekly events including live music, dancing and more! Want a sneak peek? Visit the Dillon’s website to learn more.

Visit a Dillon’s location near you and take $10 off your purchase of $35 or more. Offer expires June 30th, 2018

Each week new auction items are on display and available to bid on in support of Dillon’s featured charity. Currently, Dillon’s is raising money for Folds of Honor, with Hensley Beverage Company graciously matching every penny raised for this important cause. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the families of our fallen or wounded veterans, so visit your nearest Dillon’s location, enjoy some amazing BBQ, and place a bid to help make a difference!

Learn more about Dillon’s KC BBQ: website, Facebook and Instagram.

Click HERE to learn more about Folds of Honor and how you can offer additional support to this organization through our Choose Your Charity program.

Octane Raceway: on your mark, get set, go kart!

March 28, 2018

Charity Benefits Unlimited is proud to announce our newly formed partnership with Octane Raceway. Located right here in our hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, Octane been voted “Best Of Phoenix” by the New Times in Entertainment and Karting Racing four times, and has earned the distinction of “Best Family Amusement” by Ranking Arizona several times.

Through our Auctions in Action program, we are excited to feature a series of rotating silent auctions onsite at Octane Raceway. On display now, you will find a huge collection of sports and entertainment memorabilia, all in support of Arians Family Foundation. New items will be featured each Monday, so make sure to visit often and place those bids in support of this incredible organization.

Octane Raceway is truly a one-of-a kind experience for guests, featuring high-speed race karts that carve up the corners and fly down the straightaways at up to 45 MPH! The impressive 1/3 mile track is the only full-time indoor/outdoor track in the entire United States! Racers of all ages are welcome, however, all racers must be at least 54” tall, ready to race with closed toe shoes, and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Octane Raceway also offers a Virtual Reality (VR) arena where you can fight off hordes of zombies or complete a secret military mission. With state of the art technology, you are instantly transported into a hybrid reality. Squat, peer around corners, crawl, reload and get ready… because when you move, the game moves with you. It is pure immersive mayhem and you are in total control of your fate!

Time for a pit stop? Visit the all new Brickyard Grill. Featuring reasonably priced and freshly prepared appetizers, entrees, and beverages for all ages, the Brickyard bar serves a broad selection of imported and domestic beers and wines, with Happy Hour draft specials from 4 to 7 pm, Monday through Friday. Stop by for Happy Hour and get $2 off select appetizers, $2 off well drinks, $2.50 domestic drafts, and $3.50 premium drafts.

Octane Raceway is a fantastic spring break destination! Located right by Salt River Fields, Odysea Aquarium, and Talking Stick Casino, Octane is the perfect spot to grab some food, compete against friends, and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush!

Visit octaneraceway.com to learn about this premier entertainment venue and click HERE to learn more about Arians Family Foundation and the incredible difference they are making in our community.

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter @CBUAuctions, like us on Facebook and Instagram for all things Charity Benefits Unlimited!

2018 Major League Baseball Season

February 21, 2018

The 2018 Major League Baseball season is upon us! After an ice-cold winter of free agency, things are starting to heat up in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, located in Florida and Arizona. Here in the valley, Cactus League teams reported on Monday, headlined by the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs, and Arizona’s own Arizona Diamondbacks.

Spring Training Charity Benefits Unlimited

Visit our showroom M-F, 9am – 5pm to shop authentic signed MLB memorabilia, all for a great cause! A portion of each sale will benefit one of four featured charities.

There are a total of 10 Spring Training Facilities located here in Arizona. They are: Salt River Fields (Diamondbacks and Rockies), Cubs Park (Cubs), HoHoKam Park (Athletics), Peoria Sports Complex (Padres and Mariners), Surprise Stadium (Rangers and Royals), Camelback Ranch (White Sox and Dodgers), Scottsdale Stadium (Giants), Tempe Diablo Stadium (Angels), Maryvale Baseball Park (Brewers and finally Goodyear Ballpark (Indians). Click here for additional location information and schedules.

Games begin on Friday, February 23^rd and continue through the month of March leading up to opening day on March 29th. What does spring training mean for us? More fundraising opportunities! We will be fundraising for the Peoria Diamondback Club this Friday at Peoria Stadium for the Padres home opener and annual charity game. We will have a huge selection of sports and celebrity memorabilia on display and available to bid on throughout the game. The Peoria Diamond Club is a non-profit organization whose volunteers participate in the daily operation of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres Spring Training. In addition to Spring Training, the Diamond Club hosts special events and programs throughout the year to benefit local youth charities.

We will be fundraising for the Peoria Diamondback Club this Friday, February 23rd at Peoria Stadium for the Padres home opener and annual charity game.

If you are unable to make it to the auction, Dillon’s BBQ located close to the stadium on Thunderbird Road is currently hosting an Auctions in Action (AiA) silent auction benefiting Soldier’s Best Friend.

Not able to make it out to Peoria? No problem! We currently have AiA silent auctions scattered all across the valley. After taking in a Cubs game in Mesa, head a few miles down the road to Dave and Buster’s in Tempe. There you can grab a bite to eat, enjoy some drinks, and bid on awesome items benefiting Make-A-Wish Arizona.

I know, I know, not everyone is a Cubs fan like me. Diamondback fans can watch their team at beautiful Salt River Field and end their night at the OdySea Aquarium. Inside you will find incredible aquatic wildlife, and our largest AiA display of 40 items! Each bid benefits the OdySea Aquarium Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity whose core focus is supporting education programs that assist low-income and Title 1 School in meeting and enhancing their curriculum.

Visit our Auctions in Action silent auction benefiting the OdySea Aquarium Foundation, now live at OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale

If you are a fan of Andrew McCutchen, Buster Posey and the San Francisco Giants, take in a game at Scottsdale Stadium during the day, go see a movie at Roadhouse Cinema at night, and bid on an item at their AiA benefiting MASK. So many options for you to a catch a baseball game and benefit a great cause here in the valley!

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and Instagram for all things Charity Benefits Unlimited!

Valley of the Sun YMCA

January 12, 2018

Charity Benefits Unlimited received an incredible surprise this week, an award from Valley of the Sun YMCA honoring our contribution to their 2017 Annual Campaign. Together with the other Everyday Heroes, we helped:

1624 kids learn lifesaving skills through swim lessons and water safety education
1123 kids build character in sports and summer camp
1927 seniors stay active through subsidized memberships
249 teens develop lifelong leadership skills
215 military families stay connected to the community

What an honor to receive this award from the Valley of the Sun YMCA for our contribution to their 2017 Annual Campaign.

Our partnership with this incredible organization dates back to 2013 when we first began our fundraising efforts with the Desert Foothills location in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thanks to the success of that first campaign, we now partner with the YMCA through our Auctions in Action at least once per year to raise funds for their annual campaign. We are proud to announce that together we have successfully raised over $12,000!

One of the oldest and most established nonprofits in Arizona, the YMCA aims to promote a healthy lifestyle through their four core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Young or old, YMCA offers a variety of fitness options through sports programs, camps, childcare and activities. They truly offer something for everyone!

The following quote from the Mouer Family is just one example of the difference this organization is making. According to a YMCA advertisement, the family states: “The Amazing Kids Center was the first place I ever felt comfortable leaving my son with special needs along with my daughter. What I love most about the Y are the exercise classes, the Amazing Kids Center, and Summer Camp. Both children were able to participate in the activities during camp giving me peace of mind.” We are so proud that our auction services help to make these programs possible.

“Thanks to Charity Benefits Unlimited’s auctions for being one way that the community can give back to the Desert Foothills Family YMCA” – Raye Gall, Executive Director.

Look for our next YMCA Desert Foothills Auctions in Action silent auction scheduled for spring 2018. The auction will feature a huge assortment of authentic signed sports and entertainment memorabilia, all benefiting the Valley of the Sun YMCA and the programs they offer.

You can learn more about the YMCA, and their philanthropic work on their website and Facebook

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter @CBUAuctions, like us on Facebook and Instagram for all things Charity Benefits Unlimited!

2017: Year in Review

January 8, 2018

2017 saw Charity Benefits Unlimited reach new heights as a company with over 900+ Auctions in Action silent auctions and 300+ charity events across 6 states! Those events, combined with a record year for direct showroom sales, translated to over $800,000 raised for deserving charity and non-profit organizations. This is a substantial increase from 2016, and we are so thankful to all of our customers and partners who made this number possible.

One of the highlights of 2017 was our partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. Through a variety of fundraising programs including an onsite silent auction at each Rams home game (our team made 14 road trips to LA!), ongoing online auctions and special events, such as the Rams Kickoff for Charity Luncheon and the Taste of the Rams event, we have raised over $40,000 for the Los Angeles Rams Foundation! We would like to thank the Rams for their partnership and congratulate them on their first playoff appearance since 2004!

The CBU team made 14 roads trip to Los Angeles to raise money for the LA Rams Foundation

One of our most exciting partnerships in 2017 happened right here in our home state of Arizona and our home city of Scottsdale. That partnership is with OdySea Aquarium, located at 9500 E. Via de Ventura. Since launching our first Auctions in Action silent auction at OdySea this past spring, we have now raised over $70,000 for the OdySea Aquarium Foundation. The OdySea Aquarium Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity whose core focus is supporting education programs that assist low-income and Title 1 School in meeting and enhancing their curriculum. We could not be more proud of the success of this partnership and we look forward to working together in 2018!

In partnership with OdySea Aquarium, CBU has raised over $70.000 for the OdySea Aquarium Foundation.

We can’t talk about our success in 2017 without mentioning some of our incredible Auctions in Action (AiA) partners and the incredible difference they are making in our community:

Dave and Buster’s: $31,000 raised for Make-A-Wish Arizona
Mountainside Fitness: $25,000 total raised, benefiting Make-A-Wish Arizona and Special Olympics Arizona
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: $19,000 raised for Arians Family Foundation
Maggiano’s Little Italy: $18,000 raised for Make-A-Wish Arizona
Twin Peaks: $14,000 raised for American Cancer Society

Sending out a huge thank you to these partners and to all of our AiA partners who help us make a difference every single day!

In addition to the success of our AiA program in 2017, we had the honor of attending some incredibly successful events throughout the year. The Pump Foundation held its annual Gala at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and raised over $27,000 in one night. Locally, Celebrity Fight Night raised $26,000 for Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Jump Ball 2017 raised $19,000 for Phoenix Suns Charities, and Eric Dickerson’s Golf Invitation raised over $19,000 for Young Warriors Foundation!

We want to thank all of our partners for an amazing 2017. Together, we did great work for these organizations, and we look forward to working together in 2018 and beyond!

Lastly, we want to thank you, our customers. Without you, none of this would be possible! Our company slogan is ‘Give with Passion’, and we work hard to deliver a quality product that allows these organizations to exceed their fundraising goals, but in reality it is you that gives with passion by participating in our silent auctions and visiting our showroom to shop for a cause.

Here’s to a great 2017, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead in 2018!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest CBU news, and updates on upcoming events and fundraising opportunities.

Interested in partnering with us to raise money for your non-profit or charity? Contact our fundraising team at 480-483-0525 or email us at info@cbuauctions.com.

Arians Family Foundation

December 27, 2017

The Arians Family Foundation motto: A Voice for Children. Led by former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, Arians Family Foundation (AFF) aims to better the future for countless children across the nation, giving them a chance to live in an environment where they feel safe, loved, and in a culture where they can succeed. Charity Benefits Unlimited is proud to be a fundraising partner for AFF events throughout the Valley, and in Arian’s off-season home state of Georgia.

Each year, Arians Family Foundation holds several events in Arizona, including the Arizona Celebrity Golf Classic in the spring and the Arizona Cardinals Cards Kick-Off party in the fall. AFF’s marquis event is the Georgia Celebrity Golf Classic held in Lake Oconee, Georgia. Each year around the 4th of July, AFF invites hundreds of athletes and celebrities to join the event, which includes a gala night with musical guests as entertainment. In 2017, country star Chase Rice and American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, performed for attendees during dinner. The 2018 Georgia Celebrity Golf Classic will conclude with an incredible live performance by Kane Brown. We can’t wait! Click here for tickets and details.

Arians Family Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic

2017 Georgia Celebrity Golf Classic in Reynolds, Lake Oconee, GA

With help from our Auctions in Action community partners who host silent auctions benefiting AFF throughout the year, Charity Benefits Unlimited successfully raises thousands of dollars annually for this incredible organization. It is an honor to have a Bruce Arians in the state of Arizona, who was not only a great leader to our home team, but is someone who gives back so much to our community.

Arians Family Foundation Auctions in Action Alamo Drafthouse

Auctions in Action silent auction at Alamo Drafthouse Phoenix/Chandler benefiting Arians Family Foundation

Click here for upcoming AFF events, and to learn more about this incredible organization.

Interested in partnering with Charity Benefits Unlimited to raise money for your non-profit or charity? Contact our fundraising team at 480-483-0525 or email us at info@cbuauctions.com.

Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Auctions in Action (AiA) program

December 10, 2017

As the year winds down, once again our most popular service is the Auctions in Action (AiA) program. We currently have seventeen active AiA silent auctions across the valley, including Dave and Buster’s, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Odysea Aquarium and Embassy Suites hotels. Each week, our inventory specialists select new items to be rotated at each auction site. At the same time, winning bidders are contacted for payment. A variety of charities and service organizations are represented at the many AiA silent auctions across the valley, giving customers a wide range of choices as to which charity they wish to support.

What makes an effective AiA? When an AiA host business is being considered, space and location are the most important factors for success. Is there sufficient space at the front or near the front of the business for the auction items to be displayed? Is that space a high customer traffic area? If the answers to these questions is yes, then the AiA program may be perfect for your business!

Charity Benefits Unlimited Auctions in Action

Auctions in Action Silent Auction at Buffalo Wild Wings

How does AiA benefit the host location? Most importantly, AiA is good for business. Raising money for charitable organizations and giving back to the community enhances your reputation and builds good will among your customers. Our clients report that short-term or drop in customers have become loyal, long term customers because of the charitable contributions AiA provides for their communities.

Check presentation Rock Bottom Arrowhead

In partnership with Rock Bottom Arrowhead, we were proud to present a check for nearly $5k to Crusaders!

Remember, that when we say the AiA program is no cost to you, we mean no cost. The AiA program requires limited resources from you, offers no risk to you, and leads to countless benefits for you.

Interested in starting an Auction in Action? Reach out to us for more information at info@cbuauctions.com or give us a call at 480-483-0525!

Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Charity of the Month: Special Olympics AZ

December 1, 2017

Charity Benefits Unlimited saw a record number of direct sales for the month of November, which meant a record donation for our Charity of the Month program. Thank you to everyone who visited our showroom last month and helped us raise money for the Sun Devil Club, our November Charity of the Month. We are excited to keep that momentum going in the month of December as we close in on nearly $5 million raised for deserving charities and non-profits!

To help us reach that goal, we are pleased to announce Special Olympics Arizona as our December Charity of the Month. A portion of all showroom sales, now through December 31st, will benefit Special Olympics AZ, as well as proceeds from from our Auctions in Action silent auctions, currently being hosted at 13 Mountainside Fitness locations throughout the valley.

Special Olympics Arizona provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities. For athletes, Special Olympics sports provide a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy. The lessons learned in Special Olympics also impact their life skills. Sports training enhances focus and gives participants a structure for learning important lessons about perseverance, endurance and setting goals. Due to the incredible success of their programs, SOAZ is one of the most well-known organizations not only in the state of Arizona, but nationwide. You can learn more about SOAZ by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and by visiting their Website.

There is no better way to complete your holiday shopping and support a great cause than shopping with Charity Benefits Unlimited this December! Visit our showroom anytime Monday through Friday between 9am – 5pm. We are located at 15849 N. 77th St, Suite 1 in Scottsdale.

Charity Benefits Unlimited Showroom

Want to connect with CBU? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Interested in your charity becoming our Charity of the Month? Contact us at info@cbuauctions.com!

Benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank!

September 16, 2015

This week we had the privilege of presenting one of our Auctions in Action partners with a tremendous check. We teamed up once again with Embassy Suites Biltmore to raise money for St. Mary’s Food Bank. For the duration of the AiA, we were able to raise $3,957.74!

St. Mary’s Food Bank was the world’s first food bank, and is now one the largest food banks in the nation. Due to Arizona’s hunger rate being higher than the national average words can’t even begin to describe the impact they have had here in the valley. You can find more information about them on their website, www.firstfoodbank.org, on twitter @StMarysFoodBank, and on Facebook.

Event season is in full swing here at CBU, and our Auctions in Action program is in full force! If you have questions or inquiries about our AiA program, you can reference our previous blog or contact us via phone at (480) 483-0525 and e-mail at info@cbuauctions.com!

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter @CBUAuctions, and like us on Facebook for all things Charity Benefits Unlimited!

Benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital

August 7, 2015

This week we had the honor to present one of our Auctions in Action partners, Embassy Suites Phoenix – Biltmore with a check. Together we helped raise $4,108.52 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital!

Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s logo

Phoenix Children’s Hospital has provided multiple remedies for children since its inception in 1983. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest children’s hospitals in the United States. We are honored to be able to help such an amazing organization like this. You can find the Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Twitter @PhxChildrens, and on Facebook.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without our Auctions in Action program. By partnering with great locations like Embassy Suites Phoenix – Biltmore, we are able to reach out and help amazing organizations daily. If you have questions about our AiA program, you can reference a previous blog or contact us via phone at (480) 483-0525 and e-mail at info@cbuauctions.com

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter @CBUAuctions, and like us on Facebook for all things Charity Benefits Unlimited!

Category: AiA