8th Seeds of Change Gala features live auction, more

Going . . . going . . . gone: Sold to the highest bidder.

Anyone who has ever attended an auction will recognize the phrase. But those words are exceptionally meaningful to the people who run the Seeds of Change Gala auction because they mean more dollars to benefit their major project, a Maricopa shelter for abused women and their children.

The official auctioneer for Saturday’s gala is Keith Stump, who donates his skills as a 30-year professional auctioneer.

Stump, 73, and his wife of 51 years, Dawn, moved to Maricopa in 2006. Shortly after the Stumps bought their home in Province, Seeds of Change CEO Torri Anderson asked him to be the auctioneer for the benefit. He has been volunteering ever since.

“I get a lot of satisfaction out of trying to help and I have strong belief in the project,” Stump said. “This is a great organization. They are really, really good people.” He described Anderson as “one sharp cookie” and said the committee “really works hard to raise money for abused women and their children.”

The 8th annual Against Abuse Inc. Seeds of Change Gala starts at 7 p.m. at Province Community Center. Based on a casino theme, the dinner event includes a raffle of a 6.6-carat green topaz and diamond ring donated by Amy’s Jewelry in Casa Grande and a Vespa offered by Glenn Jones Auto. Casino cash-out prizes include a 42-inch flat-screen TV, iPod shuffle and Kindle fire.

Stump’s live auction features two unrestricted round-trip tickets to anywhere Southwest Airline flies, a NASCAR package and custom-made furniture, among other items. A silent auction of a variety of gift baskets also will be held.

Dan Miller is the official photographer for the event and attendees will receive a photo.

“You’ll leave with a picture; how many times do you get dressed up,” Anderson said. She pointed out that $50 of the $75-per-person ticket goes directly to the shelter.

While a date has not be set for the opening of the shelter, Anderson said, “2013 is our magic number.”

She applauded Stump’s commitment to the gala, adding his appearance it always a big hit.

Stump praised the “bid spotters,” committee women who keep an eye on the roomful of auction bidders.

“When the bidding gets to a certain point and we want to get to the next level, the bid spotters go into action,” Stump said. “They are motivators and entertainers, prepping and persuading the bidders” to raise their bid so the item gets the maximum price.