Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1453353
26 PalletCentral • January-February 2022 palletcentral.com Roughly 15 years ago, I got involved in the Foundation when I attended an NWPCA Annual Leadership Conference. I have a background as an auctioneer and noticed the silent auction for the Foundation had five items, with limited response to the items. I went to the organizers and volunteered to do a live auction for the following year, which they took me up on. e following year, they had only gotten a few items, so I went out to the exhibit hall and rounded up a healthy number of parts credits and equipment for the auction. Instead of $2,500, as in past years, we raised $8,000. It grew from there. We went from $8K to $20K to $40k. Around 2014, it was $80k, and each year after that, we exceeded $100k. is past year, we raised $300k from auction items and direct solicitations. It was a very good year. What we found at the core is that people want to contribute. In some instances, they may not want to write a check, but they will contribute to getting a tangible product, like tickets for sporting events, equipment, or even parts credits. Many people get caught up in the fun of the auction and are willing to spend the money. Our supplier vendors also want to see the industry thrive. ey understand the importance of the Foundation's work through education, and the Nature's Packaging video produced seven years ago was a tremendous help. And they recognize the market competition trying to position themselves as alternatives to wooden pallets. PC: What do you attribute to the rising fundraising amounts each year? Bill: is year, we raised over $400,000 between the Western Pallet Association auction and the NWPCA auction. I also made personal phone calls Caryn Smith, Driven By Design, is editor of PalletCentral and a regular contributor. to those I knew wanted to help. Oftentimes, they just want to be asked. For those who didn't attend the conference or auction in person, I called them, reminded them of the money saved on travel and exhibit fees, and asked for a $5,000 donation to the Foundation. Amazingly, twenty-four people said yes! I have been an auctioneer for 35 years, and this is a highlight of my year, every year. PC: What is your hope for the Foundation and the future of the auction? Bill: We need the Foundation to sustain the research and continue to fund projects at the high level. e work at the university level is so important, and it's imperative to our sustainability as an industry. I would think that through the NWPCA and the Western Pallet Association auctions, we can raise $250k every year, at minimum. We need the Foundation to sustain the research and continue to fund projects at the high level. The work at the university level is so important, and it's imperative to our sustainability as an industry. – Bill MacCauley Significant Pallet Foundation Projects Nature's Packaging® (March 2015) Landfill Avoidance (March 2018) Pallet Market Survey (March 2018) PDS Multiple Languages (September 2018) North American Forest Partnership (2018) Unit Load for Boxes (September 2019) Environmental Product Declaration for Wooden Pallets (2021) Support The Pallet Foundation Make an online contribution at https://palletfoundation.org or mail a check/money order to: Pallet Foundation c/o NWPCA, 1421 Prince Street, Suite 340, Alexandria, VA 22314. The Pallet Founda- tion is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation and all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Contributors will receive a statement for tax purposes. Please contact the foundation treasurer, Michael Saylor, if you need additional assistance.