CBU Auctions Uncategorized Archives

Soldier’s Best Friend

August 21, 2018

Soldier’s Best Friend: Having raised over $5.4 million for charitable organizations across the country, there are many causes near and dear to us here at CBU. Supporting organizations helping to make a difference in children’s lives always warms our heart, as does organizations who support our military veterans and animals in need. Given our patriotism and our love for animals, you can imagine our excitement when our Auctions in Action partner, Dillon’s KC BBQ, announced that they would be supporting Arizona-based non-profit, Soldier’s Best Friend.

Established in 2011, Soldier’s Best Friend provides United States military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Service or Therapeutic Companion Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship that saves two lives at once, and inspires countless others.

“We are devoted to helping our veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We also want to help the pet overpopulation problem… We are dedicated to pairing and training service dogs with veterans at no cost to the veteran” – Soldier’s Best Friend

A Service or Therapeutic Companion Dog provides constant support that can make it easier for veterans to readjust to civilian life and manage symptoms such as panic attacks, depression, flashbacks, anxiety, uneasiness in crowded places, suicidal thoughts and more.

Training is currently being offered in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott and Sierra Vista. On average, veteran/dog teams complete training in 6-9 months. Veterans with a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD or TBI who live in Arizona or are willing to relocate to Arizona for the duration of training are welcome to apply.

You can help support this incredible organization by visiting a Dillon’s KC BBQ location near you and participating in one of our Auctions in Action silent auctions. Offering some of the best BBQ in the Valley, Dillon’s offers four very unique locations: Arrowhead, Thunderbird, Wildlife Zoo, and Lake Pleasant. Click HERE to learn more about these locations and our partnership with Dillon’s.

Dillon's KC BBQ supporting Soldier's Best Friend

Charity Benefits Unlimited is proud to partner with Dillon’s KC BBQ in support of Soldier’s Best Friend through our Auctions in Action program.

Learn more about Soldier’s Best Friend by visiting their website, Facebook, and YouTube page.

Interested in partnering with us? Click here to learn more about our AiA program or contact us at 888-577-4011 or info@cbuauctions.com.

Beat the Heat: Hot Spots to Keep Cool

July 6, 2018

Beat the Heat! With excessive heat warnings in effect across much of Arizona, we’ve got the perfect hot spots to keep you cool this weekend.

Dave & Buster’s: One of our original Auctions in Action (AiA) partners, we have now raised over $193k for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Why is it one of our favorite hot spots to keep cool? That’s easy! At Dave & Buster’s you can eat, drink, play and watch sports, all under one roof. Don’t forget to add bid to that list! Help us reach the $200k mark by participating in our AiA silent auctions, now live at all 3 Arizona locations: Tempe Marketplace, Desert Ridge and Westgate. With a huge collection of sports and celebrity memorabilia, there is truly something for everyone. Looking to keep cool in Cali this weekend? No problem! Check out the Dave & Buster’s located in Orange County, one of our newest AiA locations.

Uptown Alley: Knock down some pins and help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club at Uptown Alley in Surprise, AZ. Bowling and games, laser tag and a sports theater, there are entertainment options for the whole family at Uptown Alley! With new items featured every Friday, the AiA silent auction program at Uptown Alley has already raised nearly $6k in just a few short months! Make sure you take a moment to thank the great people at Uptown Alley for partnering with us to make a difference in the community.

Alamo Drafthouse: The best film, food and drink all in one seat, Alamo Drafthouse is the perfect summer hot spot to keep cool this summer. Through our AiA program, Alamo Drafthouse has raised nearly $30k for Arians Family Foundation! Visit the Chandler location, watch a movie, enter a bid, and make a difference! Visit their Facebook page for upcoming events and special screenings.

OdySea Aquarium: The newest aquarium in the country and recently voted Best Kids Indoor Entertainment in Arizona, OdySea Aquarium is high on our list of summer hot spots to keep cool. The state-of-the-art facility includes many interactive experiences, a 3D movie, SeaTREK underwater ocean walking, a giant submerged escalator that descends into the deep ocean, and of course, one of the largest AiA silent auction displays in the valley! Each auction item bid on at the aquarium benefits the Odysea Aquarium Foundation, whose “core focus is supporting education programs that assist low-income and Title 1 School in meeting and enhancing their curriculum”. Click here to learn more about the foundation.

Looking for more ways to stay cool this summer? Follow us on Twitter @CBUAuctions and like us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with new partner locations and recommendations.

Interested in partnering with us to make a difference in the community? Contact us at 480-483-0525 or info@cbuauctions.com.

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.

Muscular Dystrophy Association

May 30, 2018

Charity Benefits Unlimited (CBU) and Mountainside Fitness are proud to announce our partnership to raise money for the Arizona Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Just in time for Father’s Day, we are excited to present a series of rotating silent auctions featuring a huge collection of sports, celebrity and historical memorabilia, all benefiting this incredible organization.

Auctions in Action (AiA) silent auctions are currently live at 14 Mountainside Fitness locations around the valley, the most we have ever featured! Locations include the brand new Ahwatukee and Happy Valley locations, Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria, Desert Ridge, Tempe, Arrowhead and more. Auctions will close next week, allowing winning bidders enough time to receive their items for Father’s Day. For a full list of participating locations and dates, please contact us at 480-483-0525 or visit our Facebook page.

MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. This includes care for over 100,000 people per year, funding for approximately 150 research projects around the world and a recently launched National Resource Center providing one-on-one support from trained specialists.

We are proud to support this organization and the programs they offer, and we ask for your help to make this our most successful campaign yet! Visit a Mountainside Fitness location near you to place your bids in support of this amazing cause, and make sure to thank the incredible team at Mountainside for doing so much to make a difference in our community.

Learn more about Mountainside Fitness and Muscular Dystrophy Association here:

Mountainside Fitness: Facebook, website

MDA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, website

Interested in partnering with us? Click here to learn more about our AiA program or contact us at 480-483-0525 or info@cbuauctions.com.

Choose Your Charity: Q2

April 2, 2018

It’s that time of the year again, time to announce the next round of benefiting charities for our Choose your Charity program!

We are proud to name OdySea Aquarium Foundation, Charros foundation, Sun Devil Club and Folds of Honor as our designated charities for the second quarter of 2018!

OdySea Aquarium Foundation: We began our Auctions in Action partnership with Odysea Aquarium in March 2017, and we’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the community support we have received! To date we have raised over $100,000 for the foundation, and we look forward to increasing that number with our ongoing Auctions in Action silent auctions, as well as proceeds raised this quarter through our Choose Your Charity program. 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. Thanks to generous community support in 2017, the OdySea Aquarium Foundation awarded scholarships to 50 low-income and Title 1 Schools. This enabled hundreds of students from across the Valley to attend field trips at the Aquarium at no charge. With your help and generous donations, even more schools will be awarded scholarships this year. Click here to learn more about the foundation.

Charros Foundation: If you attended a San Francisco Giants spring training game this season, there’s a good chance you saw our CBU team. In partnership with the Scottsdale Charros and the San Francisco Giants, we were proud to host silent auctions benefiting the Charros Foundation at each Giants spring training home game this season. Spring training may be over, but our fundraising efforts for this important organization will continue now through June 30^th through our Choose Your Charity program. The Charros works closely with a number of organizations who share our passion to strengthen our community and to build a better future for our children. You can learn more about them and their mission here.

Sun Devil Club: The ASU spring sports season is off to a great start, the softball team is ranked 12^th in the nation with a record of 23-4, the baseball program continues to grow, and ASU golf is in full swing! We have partnered with the Sun Devil Club previously through the football program and general events, and we look forward to our continued relationship with this amazing foundation! You can learn more about our partnership here.

Folds of Honor: Last, but certainly not least, is Folds of Honor. The Folds of Honor mission is to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members, an amazing cause that we are so excited to support! In addition to our Choose Your Charity program, we are also partnering with Twin Peaks Sports Bar & Restaurant to fundraise for this important organization, and you can be a part of those efforts! Visit our Auctions in Action silent auctions now live at the Scottsdale and Biltmore locations and bid on one of our featured pieces of sports and celebrity memorabilia. Click here to learn more about Folds of Honor, and remember, every bid counts!

Want to help support one of these 4 deserving charities? Visit our showroom, purchase an item to add to your collection, and tell us which charity you would like the sale to benefit. It’s that easy to make a difference!

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

Better Together: CBU and Dave & Buster’s

March 15, 2018

Sonny and Cher, peanut butter and jelly, Charity Benefits Unlimited and Dave & Buster’s…some things are just better together! As one of our first partners in the Auctions in Action program, Dave & Buster’s has played a huge role in helping CBU reach our $5 Million fundraising goal. Since beginning our partnership with Dave & Buster’s in 2012, together we have raised over $170,000 for Make-A-Wish Arizona!

Charity Benefits Auctions In Action Dave and Busters

Auctions in Action silent auction benefiting Make-A-Wish Arizona at Dave & Buster’s Westgate

As we continue to grow that number, you can help make a difference and help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes by visiting one of our Auctions in Action silent auctions now live at all three Valley locations: Tempe Marketplace, Desert Ridge Marketplace and Westgate Mall. You’ll find a huge collection of sports and entertainment memorabilia on display and available to bid on, all in support of this incredible organization.

Dave & Buster’s offers a unique experience for guests. First, their food. The D&B chefs are always creating incredible new menu items, all made with fresh ingredients. Fan favorites include Chicken and Waffle Sliders, When Pigs Fly Basket and the Caveman Combo; all dishes you have to see to believe! Their drinks are even more unique! One of a kind margaritas, mojitos, coronaritas, and an array of beer are all available with two happy hours each day!

Chicken and Waffle Sliders exclusively at Dave & Buster’s

Sports fans can get into the action like never before with massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound that surrounds you from every direction at the D&B sports bars. Make sure to ask your server about game day specials!

But of course, what Dave & Buster’s is best known for is their games. At any time, you can reload your Dave and Buster’s Power card with digital currency and game on! With games ranging from Mario Kart and Coin Dozier, to Super Shot and Dance Dance Revolution, there are options for guests of all ages. Video games not your thing? No problem! At select locations you can pick up a cue stick and challenge a friend to a game of pool, or let the good times roll at D&B Lanes if you’re near a location with bowling.

D&B Lanes at Dave & Buster’s Desert Ridge

With spring break here and summer right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab the whole family to eat, drink and play, all under one roof! Click here to find a location near you.

Dave and Busters Charity Benefits Unlimited

Eat, Drink, Play at Dave & Buster’s

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

Great Moments: Miracle on Ice

February 13, 2018

“Great moments are born from great opportunity.” Legendary coach Herb Brooks spoke those words to a ragtag group of college hockey players as they prepared for their David versus Goliath-esque matchup against the four-time defending gold-medal winning Soviet team in the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York. USA Hockey had the home ice advantage, but that’s the only upper hand the seventh-seeded U.S. team would have in this match-up. That is until they stepped onto the ice.

A few months prior, University of Minnesota coach Herb Brooks was hired on as the Team USA Olympic Hockey coach for the 1980 Winter Games. The team was projected to be filled with collegiate athletes, so a college coach was a must.

Brooks recruited students from his old University, and its direct competitor Boston College. The University of Minnesota and Boston College had a long running rivalry, but Brooks felt that the athletes from these two schools gave Team USA the best chance to defeat the Soviets.

1980 USA Hockey Team

The roster was headlined by Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig, two players most experts ticketed for a lengthy NHL career. Other notables were Jack O’Callahan, Neal Broten, Ken Morrow and Mike Ramsey. All great players, but nowhere near the talent of the Soviets. Brooks demanded that the team perfect the fundamentals, be better teammates, and most importantly, condition.

As the tournament kicked off, Team USA would finish 2nd in their group to Sweden, scoring 25 goals across 5 games and allowing only 10. In the other group, the Soviet Union stormed through the competition scoring 51 goals and allowing a mere 11. This would lead to the matchup that would later be known as the Miracle on Ice.

Remember when I mentioned that the Soviets held every notable advantage in this match-up? Well, everyone knew it. The experts knew it, the fans knew, and the players knew it. But once the puck dropped on February 22nd 1980, everything was on an even playing field. After two periods, the Soviets led 3-2, but hope wasn’t lost. Team USA had already done the unthinkable, they had stuck with the Russians for 40 minutes. Now all the conditioning Coach Brooks had demanded and the work they had put in up until this point would come into play. Team USA would complete the comeback and win the game 4-3, and as Al Michaels put it, “Do you believe in Miracles? YES!”

This framed Miracle on Ice signed display is available in our showroom or by calling 480-483-0525

To this day, the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Olympic Games is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history making memorabilia from this historic day a must have for any sports collector. Charity Benefits Unlimited is proud to offer a collection of authentic Miracle on Ice signed memorabilia including framed photographs, jerseys and more! Available for purchase in our showroom or to be featured at your next fundraising event, you can learn more about these historic pieces by contacting our team at 480-483-0525 or info@cbuauctions.com.

Visit our showroom or call 480-483-0525 to shop authentic signed Miracle on Ice memorabilia

Connect with CBU! Follow us on Twitter, 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.

Charity of the Month: Choose Your Charity

January 3, 2018

We are very excited to announce our updated Charity of the Month program for 2018, Choose Your Charity! Choose Your Charity will expand the number of non-profit and charitable organizations we support each month by giving our shoppers the option to choose which organization their showroom purchase will benefit.

We are proud to name Arizona Humane Society, Wounded Warrior Project, Sun Devil Club and Arians Family Foundation as our designated charities for the first quarter of 2018!

Arizona Humane Society (AHS): AHS is one of the largest animal rescue and welfare organization in Arizona. With several locations and numerous adoption events happening each week, including events at homing facilities as well as retail partners such as PetSmart, the Arizona Humane Society works tirelessly to end animal suffering, homelessness and needless euthanasia. With so many animals lovers here at CBU, this is an organization that is near and dear to our hearts! Visit the AHS website to learn more, and to view adoptable animals currently looking for their forever homes.

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP): It’s always an honor to support a cause so committed to giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our great country. WWP serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001. As of January 2nd, 2018 WWP has served 110,035 alumni and 26,512 family members. Click here to learn more about WWP and the programs they offer.

Sun Devil Club: What a time to be a Sun Devil! The basketball team is currently ranked 4th in the nation, and will look to make a big push through the Pac 12 and NCAA tournament in the coming months. We have partnered with the Sun Devil Club previously through the football program and general events, and we look forward to our continued relationship with this amazing foundation so committed to investing in the future of student-athletes! Click here to learn more about the Sun Devil Club.

Arians Family Foundation (AFF): We would like to congratulate Coach Bruce Arians on an incredible career and thank him for all he’s done, on and off the field, for our community. It has been such an honor to work with AFF, an organization so committed to bettering the future for children across the nation, and we look forward to our continued partnership. You can learn more about Arians Family Foundation, and our partnership with them in our recent blog post.

Visit our showroom to Choose Your Charity and Shop for a Cause Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm! We are located at 15849 N 77th St Ste 1. Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Interested in your charity becoming our Charity of the Month? Contact us at info@cbuauctions.com.

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

Partnership with Mountainside Fitness

November 27, 2017

Charity Benefits Unlimited is excited to once again be giving back to our community through our partnership with Mountainside Fitness, one of the premier fitness facilities in Arizona.

Mountainside Fitness was founded in 1991 with the opening of their first gym in Ahwatukee, Arizona. Twenty-six years and sixteen gyms later, Mountainside Fitness is the most prolific name in Arizona fitness. Their growth can partially be attributed to their work in the community, as each year they raise money for an Arizona based charitable organization. From Make-A-Wish Arizona, to Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix, they continue to set the standard for giving back to the community. This season, we are very proud to contribute to their fundraising effort for Special Olympics Arizona through our Auctions in Action program.

Special Olympics is one of the most well-known non-profit organizations, not only in the state of Arizona, but nationwide. The local chapter mission states, “Special Olympics Arizona’s (SOAZ) goal is to empower the over 180,000 Arizonans with intellectual disabilities to be healthy, productive, and respected members of society through SOAZ’s year-round sports training, competitions and support programs”. They have local events throughout the year where people can show their support for the athletes and organization. If you are unable to attend one of these amazing events, you can make donations through Mountainside Fitness or by bidding on items in one of our Auctions in Action (AiA) silent auctions.

We currently have AiA silent auctions running at 13 Mountainside Fitness locations including Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Arrowhead, Desert Ridge, and Peoria, just to name a few! New auction items will be featured this week, with your final chance to bid happening the week of December 11-December 15. Our silent auctions feature authentic signed memorabilia varying in genre (sports, movie, music, and more!). This is a great way to get your holiday shopping done early, all for a great cause! Questions about participating locations and auction dates? Contact the CBU team at 480-483-0525 or info@cbuauctions.com

Mountainside Fitness Gilbert silent auction benefiting Special Olympics Arizona.

Learn more about both Mountainside Fitness and Special Olympics Arizona by visiting their website and social media pages:

Mountainside Fitness: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Special Olympics: Facebook, Twitter, Website

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

12 3 4

Category: Uncategorized