(OMAHA, Neb.) Feb. 24, 2015 – Even the Oracle of Omaha himself couldn’t have predicted the incredible return on his donation benefitting Girls Incorporated of Omaha (Girls Inc.): more than ten times the estimated Kelley Blue Book value for Warren Buffett’s autographed 2006 Cadillac DTS sold through Omaha-based Proxibid (www.proxibid.com), the most trusted online Marketplace for buying and selling highly valued items, in a timed event last week.
The winning bid of $122,500 was submitted by a New York City- area buyer after an exciting finish with six minutes of head-to-head “extended bidding.” Extended bidding is a feature offered by Proxibid for all timed auctions, which makes it possible to competitively bid on items in the final minutes without worrying about “sniping,” or placing a bid in the last seconds before an auction closes. With extended bidding, every buyer who is interested in a specific item has the opportunity to bid and win. For sellers, this ensures that goods are sold for the best possible price during each auction.
“The Buffett family has been a long-time champion of Girls Inc. and we are thrilled that Warren Buffett chose us as the beneficiary of proceeds from this event. Warren knows a good investment when he sees one and our girls are definitely a good investment.” Roberta Wilhelm, Girls Inc. of Omaha’s executive director, said.
Susan Buffett (Warren’s first wife, who died in 2004) was a Girls Inc. founder, and Susie Buffett (daughter of Warren and Susan) currently serves on the organization’s board, Wilhelm explained.
The proceeds from the auction are coming to Girls Inc. of Omaha at the perfect time, she added, because a capital campaign is currently underway to raise $18.5 million to underwrite the expansion of Girls Inc.’s North Center.
“This project has been developed to address urgent needs including accessible healthcare facilities and space for safe and supervised youth activities and programs,” Wilhelm said.
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The project is comprised of a renovation and 55,365-square-foot addition that will bring in a health clinic in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a gymnasium with locker room and showers, an exercise studio, a fitness center, a media center and a teen center. The centerpiece of the renovation is the conversion of a section of the current multipurpose room into an instructional kitchen for teaching Girls Inc. members how to prepare healthy meals. Ground was broken last May for the facility expansion and the project is slated for completion in early 2016.
“We were honored to work with Girls Inc. and Mr. Buffett to raise funds that will help Girls Inc. of Omaha serve the community and meet its important objectives,” Ryan Downs, President and CEO of Proxibid, said. “We were incredibly pleased with the outcome of the auction of this unique item and that we were able to give buyers from across the globe the opportunity to participate.”
About Girls Inc.
Girls Incorporated of Omaha is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be “Strong, Smart, and Bold.” Girls Inc. provides educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for girls ages 5 to 18. Girls Inc. of Omaha is a national affiliate of Girls Incorporated and was recognized with its national biennial “Excellence in Action” in 2010. For more information about Girls Inc., please visit www.girlsincomaha.org.
About Proxibid
Proxibid provides asset owners of all sizes and buyers with access to the world’s most trusted online Marketplace and selling solutions for excess inventory. More than $3 billion in inventory passes through Proxibid’s Marketplace annually in product categories that include heavy equipment; commercial and industrial equipment; real estate; fine art, antiques and collectibles and more.
Founded in 2001, Proxibid is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices in New York and London. For more information about Proxibid, please visit www.proxibid.com.
Contact(s):
Girls Incorporated of Omaha:
Kylie Feilmeier, (402) 345-5401 ext. 117 or kfeilmeier@vgagroup.com
Proxibid:
Dana Kaufman, (402) 505-7776 or dana.kaufman@proxibid.com
Images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/130983039@N03/
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwl4rsi2qgg&feature=youtu.be
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