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 The ABC National Show at Lake Geneva, May 3-9 was spectacular this year, not only because of the lovely setting but also because of the special chance to see the first part of the Parade of Champions. This event is held every fifth year and it is always such a special thrill to me because I so love to see the "elderly" representatives of our breed. Seeing the dark eyes shining from faces grayed by age always brings a lump to my throat. Perhaps that’s why the American Boxer Charitable Foundation has become my passion. I want to try to help with the efforts to address health issues in Boxers and to see more and more of those wonderful eyes shining from gray faces.

The ABCF has but one mission and that mission is to raise money to address the health issues facing our Boxers. That is our job in a nutshell. To this end, Tuesday night at ABC was ABCF AUCTION TIME! The Auction is the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and it was our goal to make this year our biggest and best Auction ever.

The day of the Auction is always one of excitement and worry for the volunteers that organize the event. Will the items come in? Will people attend? Will the attendees bid? Will the party be a success? Will we raise enough to fund the research for the coming year? The answer to all of these questions turned out to be a resounding---YES!

Well, the great news is that we not only met our goal but that we exceeded it. We raised over $29,500 on Tuesday night—which is a new record! What a great party and what terrific people we have loving and supporting our breed. We had such wonderfully generous donors and such marvelous items. Frankly we had so many items that the display tables could barely hold them. The generosity of our donors in these tough economic times is absolutely heartwarming. As far as attendance, we broke all attendance records and had to move the dinner buffet line into the hall to accommodate the number of tables we needed. (Thankfully, next year at the Drawbridge, we will have a much bigger room and more tables to display our items.)

The highlight of the evening was the spirited bidding that took place for an absolutely stunning gold, diamond and emerald bracelet that was donated by Tina and Bill Truesdale as a memorial to their beloved "Biff" (Ch. Hi-Tech’s Arbitrage, SOM, LOM) who had died just days before ABC. The fact that the one-of-a-kind bracelet was a memorial to Biff made the bidding sentimental, exciting and fun to watch. There was so much emotion and excitement wrapped up in this piece and also bidders who knew how to add to the drama of the "chase." Those present will never forget the see-saw action over this bracelet. The whole room erupted with applause when Auctioneer Rufus Burleson shouted "Sold!" and Cheryl Robbins of CherKei Boxers wound up with this lovely piece on her wrist. All of this was in memory of a great dog and the money raised goes to a cause that benefits all Boxers.

We were so grateful for the outstanding generosity of our fellow Boxer lovers. Just a few of the items that were so appreciated were three magnificent baskets brought all the way from Alaska by Jeanne Hale; a beautiful, original standing Boxer carved from Jamaican Cedar by Kti Jensen; items in memory of Alice Downey; items from the Crawford and Helms Estates; generous items from the Boxer Rescue Foundation and the Greater Ohio Boxer Rescue and far too many more to list. Please check the ABCF Newsletter for a more detailed list of items.

There were items that went for astronomical figures and there were others that were outrageous bargains. There was something for everyone and every dollar raised will be used to fund research into the health issues facing our Boxers. To make this even better, when we fund grants, the amount is matched by AKC Canine Health Foundation, thereby, making the impact of this year’s Auction almost $60,000!

We want those who donated, those who attended and those who helped with the Auction to give themselves a pat on the back. It is a "labor of love" that is earned and deserved by our breed. 

And remember, as you travel this summer…keep your eye out for special items for ABCF Auction 2004 at the Drawbridge in May 2004!

Again…We "Thank You" and our Boxers "Thank You"!

Sharon Fosseen, ABCF Treasurer

The American Boxer Charitable Foundation is proud to offer you the opportunity to own a limited edition museum reproduction of "Boxers at Play" in full color. The original piece was done in tempera, painted on heavy stock water color art paper and measured 22" x 30." Your copy of this fine artwork will be exactly as the original was done over twenty years ago.

In addition to the charm and beauty of this print, you will have the knowledge that the proceeds from your order will go toward funding health issues facing our beloved breed. The ABCF has been funding research through the AKC Canine Health Foundation for over five years and it is vitally important that we continue this funding to ensure ongoing research for our Boxers.

Your piece will be shipped immediately, ready for framing at a cost of $100.00, which includes shipping and handling within the United States.

You may order your print by sending your check, credit card info or money order to ABCF, P.O. Box 8667, Spokane, WA 99203.

Fax orders to (509) 747-1406  
Email orders to hiview@mindspring.com

http://www.abcfoundation.org/puppies.html

Give someone the BEST gift ever! We thank you and our Boxers thank you!