Big Iron Teams Up with Local Farm Show to Host Annual Charity Auction

Big Iron, one of the nation’s fastest growing unreserved online auction services, held its sixth annual Charity Auction in conjunction with the annual Husker Harvest Days farm show Sept. 14-16 in Grand Island, Neb. Daily auctions were held over the three-day event, and items included a variety of agricultural equipment, along with apparel, supplies, tools and toys. In total, the three auctions raised more than $50,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. All auction items were donated by various Husker Harvest Days exhibitors.

Since 2005, Big Iron has been holding the annual charity auction as part of the Husker Harvest Days show. As the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show, the Husker Harvest Days event is a natural fit with Big Iron’s focus on agricultural and construction equipment.

“In addition to being closely tied to our company’s niche, the Husker Harvest Days show is local to us here in Nebraska,” explained Big Iron co-founder and CEO, Ron Stock. “It’s a perfect fit for us, and allows us to participate in something close to home.”

One of several charity auctions Big Iron hosts throughout the year, the Husker Harvest Days event is among the most successful, demonstrated by its continued, steady growth each year. Not only has the volume of donated equipment increased, the amount Big Iron raises each year continues to climb. In fact, Stock estimates an average growth of about $5,000 per year in total dollars raised.

While several factors have played into the company’s success with the charity auction, Stock feels a major component is the success of the farm show itself. Husker Harvest Days has been in existence more than 30 years and sees strong representation each year from both exhibitors and attendees. This year’s event drew more than 600 exhibitors and an attendance of nearly 90,000.

In addition to the association with a respected, well-attended farm show, Big Iron’s continued growth and reputation in the online auction arena has been a large contributor to the success of the charity auction, reflected in the increase in participation from both donors and bidders.

“We’ve always had a strong presence here in the Midwest, but our reputation has really been growing across the county and internationally,” said Stock. “I feel this has greatly helped us in netting donated equipment from national and international exhibitors. And it certainly has played a factor in the increased number of attendees that are bidding on the merchandise.”

Also supporting the success of the charity auction is Big Iron’s entire staff. In the months leading up to the auction, Big Iron employees volunteer countless hours of planning and coordination. They are also on hand during the entire three-day event, helping out every step of the way. Stock feels his staff’s commitment and enthusiasm is due to the fact it was a company decision to team up with St. Jude’s.

“When we first decided to host this annual auction, we brought together the entire staff to decide what charity we wanted to work with,” he explained. “It was immediately clear that the entire company was passionate about helping children. Some of our employees have been personally touched by childhood illnesses, so it felt like the perfect fit. Every year since then, our employees have enthusiastically donated their time and effort, and they are truly the heart of what makes this event so great.”