SCOTTSDALE, AZ. –September 12, 2011 – Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, and actor Josh Duhamel announced today a partnership to raise funds to directly help relief victims of the flooding that devastated Minot and surrounding North Dakota communities.
Duhamel, will be on the auction block for the sale of a 2006 recreation Shelby Cobra Re-Creation Roadster which is also signed by Duhamel. The auction of the vehicle will take place during the Barrett-Jackson Auction, Saturday, September 24, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The event will be televised live on SPEED nationally and the Cobra is offered as a No Reserve vehicle.
Josh Duhamel, a Minot native and Hollywood actor, is the honorary chairman for the Minot Area Recovery Fund, which will help Minot and the surrounding area in its long-term flood recovery needs. Duhamel recently helped coordinate The Black Eyed Peas Minot Benefit Concert on September 3, at the North Dakota State Fair Grandstand, where he signed the replica Shelby Cobra. Similar to the concert, all proceeds from the vehicle will directly go to the Minot Area Community Foundation Recovery Fund.
Duhamel has publicly asked fans and celebrities to support the Minot area since the flooding began. He is already a member of the Red Cross’ national Celebrity Cabinet, and has also worked to raise assistance for earthquake and tsunami victims in Haiti and Japan. Duhamel has appeared in a number of movies, includingthe Transformers franchise, When in Rome and The Romantics.
“As a former Minot resident with family still living in the city, including two sisters who have been displaced by floodwaters, it is extremely difficult to see the devastation caused by the flood,” said Duhamel. “I am grateful Barrett-Jackson has come forward to donate their services and a company-owned vehicle to be auctioned at their upcoming Las Vegas event. Together we hope to raise as much money possible from the generous bidders at the Barrett-Jackson auctions.”
“When Josh spoke with us about his efforts to help the Minot community, I felt the best way we could help would be to donate a Barrett-Jackson owned vehicle to him and ultimately auction at our upcoming Las Vegas event. In addition, Barrett-Jackson has agreed to waive all commission fees on the sale of this vehicle” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO, Barrett-Jackson. Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson further stated “Our group of bidders are some of the most generous donors in the world and have helped donate nearly $40 million to dozens of charities. Our hearts go out to the victims in the Minot area and hope this donation will be an effective part of the effort to help restore the city and surrounding community.”
Established by the Minot Area Community Foundation, the Minot Area Recovery Fund will play an active role in flood relief by supporting relief and restoration throughout the greater Minot area, including the counties of Ward, Renville, Bottineau and McHenry. All of these counties experienced a record-breaking flood from the swollen Souris River in mid-2011.
On June 26, a new flood record was set in Minot at 1,561.72 feet above sea level, three feet above the previous record set back in 1881. Approximately 12,000 people are displaced from their homes. It is estimated that 20 percent of Minot has sustained damage from the flood. Over 4,100 homes have been affected by the flood; 2,376 of those homes have extensive damage from 6-10 feet of water and 805 of the 4,100 homes are damaged beyond repair.
Barrett-Jackson’s 4th Annual Las Vegas Collector Car Auction returns to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino September 22-24, 2011. In addition to the Shelby Cobra replica auction for the Minot Area Community Foundation – Recovery Fund, this three-day automotive lifestyle event will feature an assortment of customs, classics, exotics, Hot Rods, Resto-Mods and original collector vehicles available for purchase.
The Barrett-Jackson event has become one of the premier destinations in Las Vegas for car enthusiasts and their families. It will feature a variety of activities for attendees of all ages; including product demonstrations from exhibitors and sponsors, and the opportunity to test-drive some of the newest Ford, GM and Porsche models on the Ride ‘N Drive track.
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company specializes in providing products and services to collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Named one of the top 100 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine in 2010, Barrett-Jackson produces “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Orange County, Calif. and Las Vegas. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. Established in 1971, Barrett-Jackson is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.