Eager to resume connecting in person, hundreds of guests assembled for the 30th Annual Celler Auction – A Red Cross Affair last Saturday. For three decades, the American Red Cross has hosted this much-anticipated event raising funds for the South Carolina Region and our lifesaving mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Guests and sponsors were overjoyed to be back at their favorite event of the year and responded in kind by giving generously during the "fund-a-need" portion of the event and the live and silent auctions. Including an inspiring $50,000 challenge match from one of the evening's presenting sponsors, The Marsh Family, The Cellar Auction raised impressive net proceeds of $350,000 to carry out the mission of the American Red Cross.

"We're grateful to see once again our friends and fellow humanitarians coming together in the name of service to our communities," said Rod Tolbert, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of South Carolina. "The energy and excitement in the room of generous donors was moving and a great reminder of just how important our physical presence is to one another. No one understands this fact more than the Red Cross volunteers who meet with families following a devasting disaster. Everyone who supported the Cellar Auction is helping to ensure our lifesaving, humanitarian work continues."  

30th Annual Cellar Auction – A Red Cross Affair highlights:

• A moving message from Major General Robert E. Livingston, Jr. (retired), former The Adjutant General, South Carolina, detailed how the American Red Cross supports the Armed Forces through all stages of military life
• Jonathon Upton, Service to Armed Forces Regional Program Manager for the Red Cross of South Carolina, shared his experience deploying to Kuwait to serve military members on the U.S. military installation
• The American Red Cross honored the lifetime legacy of Charlotte Berry, an 80-year volunteer
• An exciting live auction inspired several donors to step up in a big way by offering the most popular items up for bid multiple times

The American Red Cross of South Carolina extends a heartfelt thank you to all Cellar Auction guests, sponsors, generous donors, local businesses and media, regional and national vintners, event speakers, Red Cross board members, staff, volunteers, and a host of others who contributed to the event's success.

30th Annual Cellar Auction Sponsors:  
Premier Grand Cru Presenting Sponsors: Fluor, The Marsh Family  
Qualite Superieure Sponsors: Prisma Health, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, Gregory Electric Company, INDEXX, McKinney Automotive, Todd & Leslie Kimmelmann 
Vin De Pays Grand Sponsors: Kyocera AVX, Chef 360, Hale's Jewelers, Table 301 
Vin De Table Grand Sponsors: AFL, Michelin, Milliken, New South Construction Company, Robert  Ianuario Law Firm, Spartanburg Regional Health System, TEC Grills

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCrossSC.

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