12U Baseball Team Get Unique Donation—12-Piece Ebay Auction From Local Artist

Karen Ponder — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:34:40 -0400

I live in Asheville, NC. Yesterday a friend told me about this great fund-raising/auction idea she'd heard about.

So I'm following suit—

A local 12U travel baseball team, raising money for uniforms and travel expenses, were looking for donations, I have to create 12 baseball card collecting boxes. The boxes will be auctioned one at a time. I'll release photos of the boxes after each auction ends. The first box can be seen when it is placed on auction with Ebay this Sunday night at 8:00 p.m.

"There are twelve boxes in the series. Photo's of the boxes will be released after each auction ends. The first box will be up for auction this Sunday @ 8:00 p.m.

I'm looking for suggestions!

What strange or unique story do you have to tell about our countries favorite past time.

Baseball's obscure but true trivia, (you'll have to back it up)!

What memory is so universal that seeing a representation of it would elicit joy, laughter, tears, etc.

Finally, do you have any cool pictures or things you are willing to donate to the creation of the boxes?

Memorabilia that would bring attention and validation to each piece.

(Ex.-photos that can be emailed and printed very small, Baseball's top ten...ideas) email "ready to print" to-- kponder36@yahoo.com.

And, of course, I'm looking for bidders!

If you're thinking about taking advantage of the "buyers market" the economy is creating in collectibles. How about giving it to 12 American boys and their families instead of a corporation.

Start with a box that is more than just a collector's item, it's a work of art.

If this auction succeeds, there will be a follow up series at a later date.

"Pay It Forward,"

Karen Ponder (Artist)

Kenny Irwin Remembered For His Character and SPEED.

Karen Ponder — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:07:52 -0400

I just read a tribute from a Kenny Irwin fan. I hadn't heard his name in so long I was struck to hear that someone else loved Kenny more because he was a great guy than because he was good.

We were at the Darlington race the week before he died. We were given the full infield treatment by Bell South. We had breakfast with him, talked to him, had our pictures taken with him. We have all kinds of autographed memorabilia from that day. I was so taken with this man! Young, kind, smart, humble, as excited to be there as I was!

My mother in-law spent most of the day sitting with a woman who I believe was his manager (us smokers like to meet and talk). She could have been his mother by the way she spoke of him. They talked for over an hour about what an amazing kid he was.

I left the track that day with a new driver! My love for NASCAR renewed, I was ready to follow Kenny all the way to greatness. That was what the media was predicting and I had no doubt!

The following weekend, maybe two weeks later, My sister in-law, tearfully called to tell me about his accident. (Believe it or not all of this crying is extremely out of character for all involved. It was a surreal experience.) The news took my breath away, I had to pull over. My family was smitten with the amazing man we had met at Darlington. He was greatly respected by everyone involved with the Bell South Team. Kenny's death struck me with the empathy of a mother, I felt like someone some one very close to me had lost a son. I kept thinking about this woman who sat with my Mother in-law and how that team must be feeling.

I'm touched that his character is what is spurring this stream of letters. That is what I remember most. I hope his mother reads this and is filled with pride. Those of you who think this is all hokey and un-NASCAR like—you must never have had the honor of meeting him.

Kenny Irwin deserves to be honored based on his performance. He was fast and fearless, truly entertaining!

And to the Author of the article I read that inspired this article (Ginger)—Thank you for taking the time to remind us.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Karen Ponder

12U Baseball Team Get Unique Donation—12-Piece Ebay Auction From Local Artist

Kenny Irwin Remembered For His Character and SPEED.