LIVONIA, Mich. - The many bidders at the annual All-Star Auction "bid from their hearts and wallets" as the Michigan State Auctioneers Association sponsored its annual All-Star Auction, with all proceeds going to the Providence Hospital Pediatrics center.

Nearly all the items sold at the auction were donated by members of MSAA, raising more than $6,793 for the hospital. Most of the auctioneers took their turn at the auction block, or worked as ringmen throughout the evening.

The auction was held at the Roush Automotive Collection in Livonia. After a pizza supper and time spent admiring the large car collection, bidders and auctioneers turned to the task at hand.

Former All-American Tom Nowatzke, who played in the National Football League for nine years, presented several "pillow pets" to be donated to the hospital, as well as being sold at auction. Nowatzke is president of the NFL chapter in Detroit, which donated the items.

Selling the popular pillow pets was nine-year-old Olivia Helmer.

Her delivery was clear and she had to have very little prompting to immediately ask for a higher bid after one was given. The pillow pets earned $55 each.

Racing car items proved to among the more unusual items offered.

A model car, signed by Indy driver Danica Patrick sold for $100, while a Kyle Busch hat from Victory Lane earned $25. A race-used bumper from a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. car sold for $200; a race car fender donated by the Roush family saw $175; and an autographed used racecar tire crossed the block for $30.

Advertising is invaluable to an auctioneers and bidding was spirited when ads from the Auction Exchange and Collectors News, Farm World and AntiqueWeek were presented resulting in winning bids of $160, $200, and $100 respectively.

Other advertising opportunities that found interest were ones from auctionzip.com ($500), a set of advertising flyers ($350), and an event fee from Proxibid.com ($150).

A vase from Door Pottery located in Madison, Wisc. was obviously designed for an auctioneer.

It was in a beautiful shade of blue and incised on one side was a gavel.

Bidding for this item ended at $150 and it is now probably proudly displayed in an auctioneer’s office.

A Roseville Mostique vase sold for $125.

Tim Narhi and his wife donated several bottles of homemade wine and these proved to be very popular. There were bottles of raspberry and Traverse City cherry wine and prices realized ranged from $30 to $40.

One of the auctioneers will enjoy the salmon fishing trip out of Frankfort, Mich. which had a winning bid of $150. You may find another out hunting for small game with his Model 60 Winchester .22 cal. rifle which crossed the block for $140.

Several attendees made donation bids of $50 to $250 to Providence Hospital Pediatrics resulting in a final total of $1,150.

Providence Hospital Pediatrics is a state-of-the-art center, which is part of the St. John Providence Health System. Located in the Ann Arbor area, it is of significant interest to David Helmer and his family. When his twin sons, Luke and Caleb, were born in 2005 there was a significant problem with the development of Caleb’s skull resulting in surgery shortly after birth. A serious infection occurred. Searching for a physician to address this problem David found the perfect one at Providence Hospital. Through her expertise and treatment the infection was cured and today Caleb is a sturdy little six-year-old.

Fittingly, the first item to cross the auction block was a car that Caleb had chosen as one of his favorites. This sold for $100 and Caleb, thanks to either David or Caleb’s grandfather Jerry Helmer, was the new owner.

Most of those in attendance were auctioneers, auctioneers’ families and/or staff; however, any person who enjoys auctions is welcome to attend. It is an opportunity to interact with and observe auctioneers in a more relaxed atmosphere than when they are presiding on the podium. Watch for next year’s event and plan to attend. It makes for a very enjoyable evening.

Auctioneers in attendance were: Jim Vander Veen, Grant Cole, Tim Bos, Brian Braun, Jerry Helmer, David Helmer, Scott Vander Kolk, Jr., Peter Gehres, Kenny Lindsay, Art Smith, Noah Smith, Dick Brodie, Dan Brodie, Tim Narhi, Dennis Beals, Becky Lawrence, Kelly Merryman, Steve Rottier, Wayne Blair, and Tricia Wiltjer.