Proceeds From Cotton Farming Benefit Auction To Help National Cotton Women's Committee

MEMPHIS - Cotton Farming magazine has joined forces with a new partner, and the end result should be an even bigger and better "Funding for the Future" Benefit Auction at January's Beltwide Cotton Conferences in Atlanta, Ga.

The National Cotton Women's Committee (NCWC) will become a full-fledged partner this year. In turn, all proceeds from the auction will be donated to the NCWC in support of its ongoing educational and informational campaign across the Cotton Belt. NCWC representatives also will assist Cotton Farming in soliciting auction items.

"We think this is a wonderful opportunity for our organization," said Beth Ivy, NCWC staff coordinator. "Our members can see that this is a win-win situation for everybody. The more money that is raised at the Auction the more it will help our program in defraying certain promotional costs that we incur every year. Our members are quite excited about soliciting items for the Auction and being a part of this effort."

The auction in January will be the third consecutive year Cotton Farming has staged this event. So far, it has raised $17,500, and all proceeds were donated to the Cotton Foundation as part of the "Funding for the Future" special project that supported various research and education projects. A minimum value of $25 will be attached to each item, and a maximum of 100 items will be auctioned. Some of the more popular items auctioned off the last two years included: one year of free Internet service, a two-day vacation in North Carolina, Jack Deloney prints, NASCAR tickets, beach or hunting trips, jewelry, cotton afghans, autographed footballs/basketballs/baseballs and a laptop computer.

"The National Cotton Women's Committee has had a long history of informing the public about the advantages of U.S. cotton," said Lia Guthrie, Cotton Farming Associate Publisher. "So, this is a natural tie-in. Anything that helps further the cause of our industry is something we are excited to be a part of."

In addition to being able to bid on items at the opening night reception, Jan. 8, Beltwide attendees wil have a second chance to make bids on items for the next two days by visiting the Cotton Farming booth at the Cotton Foundation exhibits.

Interested persons who want to make a donation to the Auction should contact Vance Publishing marketing manager, Alisa Salmons, at (800) 255-5113. Deadline is Jan. 3, 2002 for receiving items for the Auction. All items should be shipped to the attention of Janice McRae at the National Cotton Council, 1918 N. Parkway, Memphis, Tenn. 38112.