Last year’s Social at Indoor Nationals was the final fundraiser by Send the Best to support USA’s World teams. Many, many thanks to the volunteers who gave tirelessly for the past 5 years and to the equipment suppliers who gave wholeheartedly year after year…

This year, Keith Carroll, Sr. intends to keep fundraising alive by accepting responsibility for organizing the 50/50 raffles (thanks to Debbie Bowe for starting this profitable fundraiser) and the Silent Auction/Flea Market (thanks Gypsy Lucas for organizing this over the years); both at this year’s Indoor Nationals in Peoria, IL.

I know you will be hearing more from Keith as we move toward Outdoor and Indoor Nationals; until then, following is a brief description of the above events.

For those of you interested in the financials of Send the Best, all funds were distributed last year directly to the 2008 World Team with the exception of $100. This amount will be used to ship whatever supplies are left to Nationals in support of Keith's fundraising.

DESCRIPTION OF 50/50 RAFFLE:
All World Team skaters receive a daily allotment of raffle tickets to sell throughout Indoor Nationals. Each skater receives 50% of their tickets sold, in cash, at week’s end.

DESCRIPTION OF SILENT AUCTION / FLEA MARKET:

Silent Auction:
The Silent Auction allows each skater to bring two high-tickets items to IDN where it will be placed in the auction with a bid form. Auctions take place twice each day with 6 items open for bid per morning call and evening call. Items can include but are not limited to: skate package, skate bags, jewelry, spa baskets, fruit-of-the-month club, etc. Proceeds can be for a single skater, a group of skaters such as the ‘Junior Team’ or for all of Team USA.

Tag Sale:
This event allows multiples of items to be available for purchase. Examples of items for this area include but are not limited to:

Wheels. Trinkets such as flip flops, jewelry, and other items in the $1 - $20 range.
Tools, laces, helmet stickers, boot covers, license plate covers, etc.
Uniforms, jackets, shorts, etc. These can be gently used items.