For a sixth consecutive year, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is conducting an eBay charity auction offering six coveted entries to the 2008 Ford Ironman® World Championship, to be held October 11, 2008 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This year, six lucky athletes will embark on the Ultimate Ironman Experience, once again to benefit various charitable organizations. The auction will begin on Sunday, April 13 and will incorporate six phases with one slot available per week.
Since its inception in 2003, the Ironman Foundation and eBay charity auction has raised more than $2,000,000 for a variety of charitable organizations worldwide. In 2007, Ironman made grants and donations to deserving charities on Hawaii’s Big Island including: the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, Daughters of Hawaii, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. Additionally, more than $100,000 in cash and/or supplies went to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, The Hospice of Kona and the Hawaii Fire Department, in conjunction with the Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation. Details on each of the beneficiary organizations are below:
- St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital – Located in Tampa, FL, St. Joseph’s is a premier hospital committed to providing everything needed for the health and well being of children. St. Joseph’s received a check for $50,000 to be used to purchase additional entertainment and supplies for patient rooms and the facility.
- Hospice of Kona, Hawaii – With a mission to provide family-centered support, education and care for those approaching the end of life, the Hospice was given a 15-passenger Ford van along with one year’s worth of fuel and vehicle insurance. The van will offer transportation for individuals to and from the facility.|
- Kalaoa Volunteer Fire Company – In an effort to update equipment allowing for even greater service to the Kona community, the company was given a new flat bed truck to assist in the transport of necessary firefighting apparatus. This vehicle will allow for enhanced safety and quicker response times.
Funding does not have to come from one source. Fundraising efforts are acceptable, but the bid must be for the full amount at the auction. The minimum bid for each of the slots is $10,000 with all funds due within 20 days of the expiration of the auction. All funds are tax-deductible and all proceeds go to the Ironman Foundation, which will, in turn, make donations to charitable organizations. Ironman covers all administrative costs to ensure all monies raised will directly benefit the selected charities.
Athletes must provide proof of age for their specific age group and must complete a WTC-affiliated event before October 11, 2008 in order to validate their entry. The six slots being offered via the eBay auction have been added to this year’s race, and are over and above the 200 lottery slots WTC awards each year. The Ironman slot is non transferable and must be used for the year in which it was issued.
In addition to the opportunity to race at the world’s most famous endurance event, winners will also receive private athlete registration in Kona and four VIP packages, including race-day passes and invitations to the race week functions.
The Ironman Foundation holds 501(c)(3) status.
Ironman® is a registered trademark of the World Triathlon Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Track up to 10 items on this computer in 
)
This is an eBay Giving Works listing 
