Central Auto Auction will have completed its 10th year of operation this month, having opened its doors on Feb. 28, 2006.

The auction, which currently offers roughly 400 vehicles per week via its three lanes (with a fourth on the way), hosts about 200 bidders each week.

Peter Saldamarco, the auction’s founder and president, reflected on the economic and industry conditions that prevailed in the country during the auction’s first few years of business, including the challenges inherent with the government bailouts and the rising tide of recalls.

“Despite what’s going on in the world, Central has a solid foundation from which to build our business,” Saldamarco said.

ADESA Phoenix gives $19,500 to JDRF

In other auction news, ADESA recently announced it has donated nearly $20,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation via its philanthropic efforts at ADESA Phoenix’ Sixth Annual Legendary Sales Week events.

The several items that were sold during the charity event include a 2002 Ford Thunderbird ($16,500), a signed and framed poster depicting the evolution of Ford Mustangs over the years ($2,000) and sports and music memorabilia sold through the silent auction that procured another $1,000 in charitable donations.

“The crowd who joined us for Barrett-Jackson and our own Legendary Sales Week events brings a lot of excitement,” said Ryan Edwards, ADESA Phoenix’ general manager. “After a visit from the JDRF ambassadors — the kids actually affected with diabetes — that crowd is moved to make a difference with their generous donations. Our auction supports diabetes research all year, but this event brings lots of people into the fold. That’s why this is one of my favorite weeks of the year.”

Southeastern Auto Auction of Savannah hosts most dealers ever

The Southeastern Auto Auction recently hosted its “Cars, Cash & Caring Sale,” which resulted in a record-breaking number of dealers in attendance for one of the auction’s sales.

The sale features $25,000 in cash and prizes giveaways, including $15,000 in cash, Samsung Ultra 4K TVs, Bose sound systems, Yeti coolers, drones and more.

The sale also resulted in a donation of over $5,000 to the Shriners Hospital for Children via money raised through 50/50 drawings and an auction contribution for every transaction made over the previous five weeks.

“It was a great day for selling cars, giving away prizes and helping a great organization like Shriners Hospital for Children,” said Bill McCready, SEAA’s vice president. “Our generous dealers always come through when given an opportunity to help.”

SEAA hosts a dealer-only sale every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST and a public sale every Thursday at 7 p.m. EST.

KAR launches volunteer program

KAR Auction Services recently announced the launch of its Leap Into Service community program to honor the upcoming Leap Day on Monday.

As part of the program, KAR is giving its full-time employees in North America eight hours of paid time off for volunteer work with the charity of their choice.

“KAR Auction Services is dedicated to serving the communities in which we live and work, and we are always looking for innovative and fun ways to give back,” said Jim Hallett, KAR’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We recognized the extra day we get this leap year as an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the many different communities we are a part of across the country.”