Tax Receipts

Hi everyone!  I have received a few questions regarding the tax receipts that you will receive if you were the winning bidder on an auction item. It is quite the process but we are finally understanding how it all works. MissionFish, the organization that eBay works with to run their charity auctions, takes the money out of our PayPal account. Once that money is processed to MissionFish they donate it to Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. This is the charity that actually disperses the funds to the Stone Family. The date on your tax receipt will be the date that MissionFish actually "made" the donation or payment to HHM on our behalf.  I received an email yesterday that about half of the donations have been made and the tax receipts are processing.  Once they are processed we print them off our computer and mail them directly to you.  Even if you get your tax receipt after January 1, 2009 you will still be able to use it for 2008 tax purposes. The date on the receipt is the important part!  We are confident that this will be done by the new year but since we don't have any control over it we wanted to let you all know!

If you would like more information please click here to see a diagram of how MissionFish and eBay Giving Works get the donations to the seller's charity, in our case Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.

Here's more information on MissionFish and eBay Giving Works from the eBay website:

"At eBay, we think it's a whole lot easier doing good in the world if you've got someone to help you out. And just as we're here to help you support all of your favorite causes, we sometimes need a little help of our own...and that's where our friends at MissionFish come in. MissionFish is an organization that powers the eBay Giving Works program, providing crucial services like screening all nonprofits wishing to become members and processing all of the incredible donations that result from your successful eBay Giving Works listings! They make sure every donation makes its way to the intended nonprofit, so you can rest easy, and the nonprofit can focus more on their mission.

And because MissionFish is a nonprofit themselves, they really know their stuff.

That's why we rely on them to help us navigate the sometimes complicated world of fundraising, making sure that everything is in compliance with government regulations and that all donations make it to their intended nonprofits. Though MissionFish is its own entity and isn't owned by eBay, it turns out that we're just a good match...emphasis, of course, on the good."

Please contact us if you have any questions at all!  Thanks!!!

Final Numbers are Coming

Happy Holidays everyone!

We are still waiting for eBay to donate the proceeds to Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.  so the total amount raised is still being determined.  I can fill you in on some of the auction highlights, however!

The single item that went for the highest price was the Derek Jeter jersey. It sold for $1,925! Collectively the Yankees jerseys were the biggest selling items in the auction.  All together they sold for more than $5,300!  The Brad Ausmus game used mask was a close second behind the Jeter jersey. It sold for $1,695.  We were a little surprised by this one but our husbands tell us that it is a very unique mask...almost like a hockey goalie mask.  Plus, it was game worn which made it that much more special!  Another group of Yankees items, donated by Carl Pavano, also brought in a lot of money. The signed Yankees hats sold for more than $1,400!  I am beginning to see a pattern here.  

I have to give a special mention to all of the wonderful buyers who sent us such nice emails. We are so thankful that you supported this auction!  And of course, to all the people who donated items, this would not have been possible without you.

We will be back with more updates soon.  We wish everyone happiness and health in the coming year!

Packing up & shipping out!

The Rally for Recovery Auction (Part 1) is now over!  Alisa is working like crazy to ship off the 100+ items that were purchased.  She has a big job but it should all be sent out by the end of the week!  We will have final numbers for you once we receive payment on the last few items, minus shipping costs and pay our fees to Mission Fish.  It is looking really spectacular!  We are absolutely thrilled with the response!

I have to mention the baseball wives and players who, not only donated items, but then turned around and purchased items from the auction!  It was quite the surprise to see so many familiar names in my email inbox. You truly have gone above and beyond.  Thank you Christi and Kerrie!

There were also many personal connections within the auction.  One players college coach bought his jersey.  Several friends and family bought items!  My Dad was frantic to win the Yogi Berra hat and did!  He's so excited to get it. 

There are so many wonderful stories that have come from this experience.  I have said it many times before but none of this would be possible without ALL of your help!  So, thank you again.

On a side note: more items are showing up for Part 2 of the auction!  This was totally unexpected but we will gladly take any items that are being donated.  It will be on a much smaller scale but we are looking forward to it! We have tentatively scheduled this to begin December 14.