ASF 2009 Omega Men's and Ladies' Speedmaster Watch Raffle
Contributing to the success of the Induction weekend, Omega/Swatch Group once again donated two Speedmasters' watches, a Ladies and a Gents, to be auctioned at the gala on May 1, at the request of Gen. Thomas Stafford and ASF Board of Trustees member, Bobbie Slayton.
The tickets were sold online four weeks prior to the event and at the gala that evening. Gemini and Apollo astronauts Richard Gordon and James Lovell, with Apollo Astronaut and ASF Chairman Al Worden choose the winners.
After some light hearted banter Lovell pulled the winner of the gents' watch — Leon Ford! Having won the watch two years ago Ford immediately offered the watch back to the Foundation to be auctioned. Lovell and Gordon had a grand time playing with guests in the audience placing bids. When all was said and done Tom O'Connor from England was the proud winner, bidding $4100!
Next Gordon reached in the raffle box and pulled out the ladies' watch winner — Daron Hilburn. Hilburn was not in attendance which prompted Gordon to telephone him from the stage, when there was no answer Gordon left a humorous cryptic message on the winner's voicemail informing him of his prize.
All and all, the raffle and the impromptu auction raised $13,500 for the scholarship program.
Congratulations again to Tom & Daron and thanks a million to Leon and all of those who purchased raffle tickets and especially to Omega/Swatch Group.