Craig Jackson and Jay Leno with Mark Fields of Ford and multiple sclerosis reps. Photo courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.
The Drive for Charity
Eleven cars were sold for charity in Scottsdale with 100% of the hammer price for each benefiting the deserving organizations. These were led by the 2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 donated by Acura to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground; the supercar brought $1.2 million for the charities. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation serves 28,000-plus children in the United States, and Camp Southern Ground provides programs centering on superior nutrition, physical exercise and the latest therapies for youth.
A 2016 Ford Focus RS from Ford benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, $550,000. The sale of a 2012 Dodge NASCAR No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Brad Keselowski during his 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship season went to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and a 2000 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Pickup presented to Jay Leno by Ford, helped the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
At last year’s 44th Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, $4.6 million went directly to the Armed Forces Foundation from the charity sale of Valley resident Ron Pratte’s 1950 General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus. This represented the highest single-vehicle contribution in Barrett-Jackson history.
Two organizations with local roots and close to the Jackson family are TGen and Childhelp.
The sale of a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 for $75,000 benefited The Barrett-Jackson Cancer Fund At TGen In Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson, established in 2010. Craig’s father, Russ, and his older brother, Brian, both died from colon cancer, in 1993 and 1995, respectively.
“Craig Jackson and his team at Barrett-Jackson have provided the leadership necessary to bring TGen’s personalized medicine to the families that need it the most,” says TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff in Phoenix. “We are grateful that Craig has chosen to honor his father, Russ, and brother, Brian, in this special way.”
Childhelp, the national nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, was particularly important to his brother Brian and mother Nellie, and it remains an essential part of the charity life for Barrett-Jackson after their deaths.
Through SEMA Cares and benefitting Childhelp, a custom 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Edition was sold in Scottsdale.
“Originating with Nellie Jackson, and living through the generous spirit of her son, Craig Jackson, the Barrett-Jackson auctions have raised millions of dollars to help fuel lifesaving intervention and treatment for abused children throughout the United States,” says Michael Medoro, chief development officer of Childhelp in Phoenix.
“Childhelp has directly impacted the lives of more than 10 million children nationally, and we could not have done that without the driving support of individuals like Carolyn and Craig Jackson and the support they give through the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.”
