FRANKLIN, Tenn. -

Akron Auto Auction has an award-winning auctioneer team — literally.

As highlighted in the latest ServNet newsletter, Laura Mantle-Grunden, an auctioneer from Columbus Ohio, took first place and was declared the 2021 champion during the International Auctioneers Championship (IAC). The competition took place in July during the 72nd National Auctioneers Association Conference held in Minneapolis.

Mantle-Grunden joined a list of current Akron Auto Auction staff members who have won the International Auctioneers Championship, including Peter Gehres (2015), Andy White (2013) and Joseph Mast (2011).

“I’m thankful to be a part of such an amazing team at Akron Auto Auction every Tuesday,” Mantle-Grunden said in the ServNet newsletter about being a part of Akron AA that has sales each Tuesday featuring 1,200 vehicles.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling to have auction customers, clients, sellers and staff members all celebrate with you,” she added.

Champions for cancer research

According to the same ServNet newsletter, the Stanley Autenrieth Auction Group has raised more than $500,000 during the last few years for cancer research.

The group is continuing its philanthropic efforts with live events in September at both its auction locations

Carolina Auto Auction will host a three-day charity event benefitting melanoma research at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta. Group officials said they are especially excited this year since an anonymous donor has agreed to match dollar for dollar what the auction can raise during the event.

The Carolina event begins on Sept. 13 with the Legacy Gala and VIP Charity Auction, with special guest speaker Joe Theismann and more than 75 live and silent auction items to help raise money.

The live event is hosted at the Bleckley Station in Anderson, S.C., which offers plenty of room for a few hundred people to enjoy a nice dinner event.

The following morning kicks off the 16th annual Tee Off Against Cancer Golf Tournament at Cobbs Glen Country Club in Anderson. The event is a four-man captain’s choice tournament and provides a great steak sandwich lunch for all in attendance.

Carolina will also have unique items available to win after the golf tournament for those who participated in the raffle for charity. There also are four prize holes this year in addition to two hole-in-one contests where players can attempt to win both $25,000 in cash and a new car.

In conjunction with the tournament, Carolina Auto Auction will hold an additional charity raffle that runs several weeks leading up to the Sept. 15 giveaway during the Charity Car Sale. Tickets are $20 for a book of 25 tickets to enter into the prize boxes of your choice, and they are on sale now. 

In addition, the auction holds a weekly 50/50 cash drawing.

Meanwhile, Indiana Auto Auction kicks off its second annual charity event on Sept. 22, benefitting the Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. The auction is also hosting Joe Theismann as its speaker at the Baker Street Train Station in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Indiana AA will hold a second day event including a charity car sale and 50/50 raffles as well as some great auction items.

Blood drives at Bel Air

Also highlighted in the ServNet newsletter was BSC America’s Bel Air Auto Auction continuing its focus on service to the community.

The auction hosted a blood drive for the American Red Cross on July 13. An earlier blood drive was held on March 3 in conjunction with the auction’s 74th anniversary sale.

Once again, Bel Air AA converted its cafeteria to a satellite blood bank, welcoming the Red Cross who brought the equipment and the personnel to handle the blood drive in a safe and socially-distanced environment. Auction employees were joined by auction customers and members of the community for the three-hour blood drive.

The auction said 20 units of blood were collected, which the Red Cross estimates will help up to 60 people.

Several people participating in the blood drive received pins as Baby Brigade Donors, meaning that their blood would be used specifically to help babies.

“At Bel Air Auto Auction, we feel that community service is an important element of our company culture,” said Michelle Nichols-Neff, executive vice president of BSC America.

“Our success over these many years is due in large part to the loyalty of the community we serve, and we value opportunities like these to give back. We are grateful to all who participated,” Nichols-Neff continued.