Going once, going twice, sold!

A colorful wall of new toys lined the auditorium of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, each waiting to be claimed by a smiling child.

That was the scene at the 20^th annual National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Toy Auction in November. Each year, about $6,000 worth of toys are purchased by the NAA and then “auctioned off” to the children of St. Jude. The sky-high auction bids – sometimes reaching into the millions of dollars – are all for show.

The NAA is committed to its support of St. Jude for two reasons: the positive daily impact St. Jude has on children who have cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and St. Jude’s commitment to freely share the discoveries it makes. Every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

"We’re thrilled to reignite our partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—an organization whose mission has long inspired our members and the communities they serve," said Allison Mazzei, CEO of NAA. 

The NAA completed a $500,000 commitment to fund a post-doctoral fellowship at St. Jude. The group’s 4,000-plus members host auctions where a portion of the proceeds are donated to St. Jude, resulting in more than $5 million raised for St. Jude during the NAA’s over 20-year partnership.

"The National Auction Association has a proud history of supporting St. Jude’s life-saving work through benefit auctions and advocacy, and we’re excited to deepen that commitment once again," Mazzei said. "Our members are passionate about giving back, and there’s no greater cause than helping ensure that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. We look forward to the impact we’ll make together in the months and years ahead."

NAA’s leadership tours St. Jude each year when they come to Memphis for the toy auction.