FIRST PUBLIC EVENT TO BENEFIT DAVID
"CRASH" MULLINS DEEMED A SUCCESS !


MOREHEAD, Kentucky. The first public fundraising event to fund Crash Mullins treatment for multiple myeloma cancer was held on July 13, 2007 at the Carl D. Perkins Community Center in Crash's hometown of Morehead, Kentucky. The First Annual Benefit Fish Fry & Auction was sponsored by the Sharkey Free Will Baptist Church, and Family and Friends of Crash Mullins. All proceeds from the event were donated to the David "Crash" Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation. The event was attended by approximately 600 people, raising $17,373.00 through the combination of advanced and onsite ticket sales, auction proceeds, and direct donations made on the evening of this event.

While this was somewhat short of a targeted goal of $25K ... event organizers and Foundation Directors were greatly encouraged by the groundswell of local support for Crash, and will now look ahead to devoting themselves to the planning and implementation of special events and activities on a more widespread (national) scale, as well as a continuation of our local efforts. The Foundation wishes to thank all (dozens and dozens) of the volunteers without whose help this event could have never taken place.


Additionally; local merchants in Morehead, Olive Hill, Grayson, and the surrounding greater Morehead area were extremely generous with their donations.  That being said, there were two individuals who literally pulled this event together within a matter of just two short weeks. Sharkey Free Will Baptist Church's Reverend Harley Sexton, and Crash's son Justin Mullins. Both of these men deserve special mention for their tireless efforts in quickly turning an idea into a reality. Reverend Sexton is a Trustee of the Foundation, and Justin Mullins is the Foundation's Vice-Chairman.


PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL "CRASH" MULLINS
BENEFIT FISH FRY & AUCTION: JULY 13, 2007

Please click on photo(s) for larger image

Justin Mullins saw to it that the event was publicized outside the friendly confines of Morehead. here we see a banner that Justin strung in Olive Hill, some twenty+ miles from Morehead.

No problem finding volunteers for this event!  Many congregation members of the Sharkey Free Will Baptist Church were on hand to lend support in any manner necessary to make this event a successful evening in all ways.

5:00PM sharp and the doors of the Carl D. Perkins Community Center were opened to the public. All of the event planners and volunteers eagerly awaited the anticipated supporters.

Given that Crash was provided a short ten-day break from his ongoing cancer treatment regime in Little Rock, Arkansas: Gina-Boyd Mullins was able to leave Crash's side for a couple of hours to attend the event in respect to all of those who turned out to support her husband during this most serious time of need.

The David "Crash" Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation was fairly represented by one of two display tables.

The second Foundation display table: here there are volunteer sign-up sheets for some planned future events in-the-making: A WALK-FOR-CRASH, CARWASH, BAKE SALE, CRAFT FAIR, and RUMMAGE SALE have been added to our 2007 fundraising agenda.

The crowd enjoyed fried fish sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, potato chips, bread, and a myriad of tasty fresh-baked desserts. Many folks were seen going back for seconds...

The doors were opened and the food began to be served at 5:00PM. A mere one hour later (6:00PM), and it was standing-room-only. The auction was soon to begin.

Manning the David "Crash" Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation table are Administrative Director Sue Stripp, and Chairman Craig Rich. "I support Crash Mullins" bracelets and bumper stickers were offered at this event to help spread the word about Crash's illness, as well as an adjunct to the Foundation's primary fundraising efforts.


Foundation Director and Sharkey Free Will Baptist Church's Reverend Harley Sexton, the primary architect and driving force behind this event.


Fishin.com and Fishing Guide Home Page's Mr. Jim Dicken. Jim was influential in getting a number of fishing guide day trips donated to the auction.

Among the more special items donated for auction: beautiful handmade quilts.

Foundation Director (and Crash's daughter) Michelle Burton, along with daughter Joslyn, were on hand to lend their support.

Gina Boyd-Mullins tirelessly worked the crowd to thank as many people as possible for attending Crash's benefit, and for lending their generous support.

Foundation volunteer Stephanie Hord (L) with Gina Boyd-Mullins.

During final preparation for the actual auction, Rev. Harley Sexton speaks with Crash's father, Carl Mullins. The auction table was absolutely jammed with goods and merchandise donated by local merchants and vendors, as well as fishing tackle manufacturers from around the nation.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
The bidding action was fast-and-furious. Here Rev. Sexton (L) is flanked by  professional auctioneer Clarence Wallace, who volunteered his time and effort to call this event. Auctioneer Frank Harris also volunteered to serve this cause.

Foundation volunteer Stephanie Hord (L), Melissa Lipane, and her mom Sue Stripp, enlisting volunteers for future Foundation fundraisers to benefit Crash Mullins.

Foundation volunteer Jessica Sexton with the Foundation's Craig Rich.

 Jessica Sexton watching her father (Rev. Harley Sexton) and brother (Elijah Sexton) supervising the bidding up on the auction stage.

 

The mark of any good auctioneer is to be able to get the crowd to keep raising the bid. Here Reverend Harley Sexton (L), professional auctioneer Clarence Wallace, and Elijah Sexton work the crowd in unison. Truly a site to witness!

 

The end of a hectic (though very successful) 14 hour day: Utter fatigue is written all over the face of Justin Mullins. His efforts in shaping this event were tremendous!
While medical treatment protocols kept Crash from attending the benefit being held in his honor, he was able to keep in touch with wife Gina, and others, by telephone.

 

 

 

CATCH THE BIDDING LIVE. AUCTION ACTION AT IT'S BEST ...

In the above video (on the auction stage) we see Reverend Harley Sexton (L), auctioneer Clarence Wallace (middle), and Elijah Sexton. Justin Mullins (far right) carried auction items to the fore the entire evening.

 

THE EVENT AS ORIGINALLY ADVERTISED:

 
FIRST PUBLIC EVENT
TO BENEFIT DAVID
"CRASH" MULLINS

MOREHEAD, KENTUCKY - JUNE 2007. The first public fundraising event to fund cancer treatment for David "Crash" Mullins will take place on Friday, July 13, 2007. The event has been organized by the Rev. Harley Sexton of the Sharkey Free Will Baptist Church, and is being co-sponsored by the family and friends of Crash, and the David "Crash" Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation.

The Benefit Fish Fry & Auction will be held in Morehead, between 5:00 and 8:00PM, at the Carl D. Perkins Community Center on the Flemingsburg Road bypass (Rt. 32).

Tickets are $6.00 per plate and can be purchased at the door, or in advance through the Sharkey FWB Church, at Crash's Landing (1701 Rt. 801 South in Morehead), or through the Foundation by calling (606) 207-2683.

This Auction will consist of many valuable items donated by local merchants and some of the nationwide sponsors who have already pledged to assist Crash in this serious time of need.

 

Crash's friends at Frabill have donated some Big Kahuna fishing nets for this auction. A must have for the true Musky angler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


 









 

Plapp's Pro Outdoors of Florence and Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, and Lawrenceburg, Indiana, has donated a generous Gift Certificate to this auction.


Brandenburg, Kentucky


The News Standard's Outdoors writer Tim Tipton highlights the July 13, 2007 Fish Fry & Benefit Auction sponsored by the Sharkey FWB Church.

COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE


 

David "Crash" Mullins Multiple Myeloma Foundation, LLC® 2007    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED