Steve,
After 9/11, at the Canaan Valley Conference, we took up a collection for the NYC Firemen's Widows and Orphans Fund. I can't remember clearly now if there was an auction item associated with it. We raised $1300 and sent it. This is a rare instance where auction funds and time were earmarked for purposes other than Guiold activities. See December 2001 Scantlings.