Builders Exchange

More than 300 members relaxed on the BX back lawn Sept. 4 for the 7^th annual BX Open House and Silent Auction.

This end-of-summer tradition featured a barbeque dinner served by BX and BXF boards of directors, and a silent auction that generated funds for the Builders Exchange Foundation.

Past Foundation board presidents Gene Belew and Pete Miller returned this year as co-emcees to keep bidding at a fever pitch.

Gene Belew (right), returned as emcee of the event along with Pete Miller, both are past presidents of the BXF. Others who joined in to keep the bidding at fever pitch were, from left: Brian Boost (Elford, Inc.) and Val Stahl (The Superior Group).

Belew and Miller were joined by guest emcees including fellow BX past presidents Jeff Copeland (Elford, Inc.) and Gabe Reitter (Reitter Wall Systems, Inc.), who helped “stir the pot” and generate bidding. BX rising leaders were also “vocally” present as guest emcees this year. Dan Allman (Rea and Associates, Inc., CPAs), Brian Boost (Elford, Inc.), Domonic DeLuca (Turner Construction Co.), Ryan Lidke (Continental Building Systems), Val Stahl (The Superior Group) and Jim Wallace (cHc Manufacturing, Inc.) all took turns on the microphone.

At evening’s end, more than $14,000 was generated by the Silent Auction, the proceeds of which benefit the Foundation.

The Builders Exchange Foundation supports scholarships, workforce development, employee education and improved industry business practices.

For more information about the Builders Exchange Foundation, contact Cathy Blackford at the Exchange, or visit the BX website.

Guests enjoyed a late summer evening visiting with old friends and making new ones. At the end of the evening, more than $14,000 was raised to support the BXF.

BX and BXF boards of directors served up a backyard-style barbeque dinner to more than 300 guests.

Thanks to these members who have so generously donated items for the silent auction:

Applied Solar Technologies
Best Courier, Inc.
Brady Ware
CareWorks Family of Companies
Cathy Blackford
CCI Benefit Solutions, Inc.
cHc Manufacturing, Inc.
Colors, Inc.
Columbus Builders Supply, Inc.
Compensation Consultants, Inc.
Continental Building Systems
Contract Sweepers & Equipment Co.
Corna Kokosing Construction Co.
Custom Air Conditioning and Heating Co.
Dynalectric Company of Ohio
EasyIT
Elford, Inc.
George J. Igel & Co., Inc.
Hamilton Parker Co.
Lincoln Construction, Inc.
McGraw-Hill Construction/Dodge
Messer Construction Co.
Mid-City Electric Co.
Mock Woodworking Co.
Momentum Fleet Management Group, Inc.
Nationwide Realty Investors, Inc.
Oberfield's, Inc.
Ohio CAT - The CAT Rental Store
Paul Peterson Co.
Paycor, Inc.
R.W. Setterlin Building Co.
Sauer Group, Inc.
Speedway SuperAmerica LLC
Speer Mechanical
Staples Business Advantage
The Albert M. Higley Co.
The Quandel Group, Inc.
Verizon Wireless
Western Credit Union, Inc.

Thanks to these community supporters who have so generously donated items for the silent auction:

BalletMet Columbus
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
CAPA
Chamber Music Columbus
CoCo Key Water Resort
Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation
Columbus Children's Theatre
Columbus Museum of Art
COSi Columbus
Crowne Plaza Cleveland - City Centre
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort
Franklin Park Conservatory
Fred Astaire Columbus East
Golf Club of Dublin
Graeter's Ice Cream
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Downtown
Hidden Haven Shooting Preserve & Sporting Clays
Hoggy's Restaurant & Catering
Huffman's Market
Lora Lee Treats
Metro Cuisine Catering
Opera Columbus
Refectory Restaurant & Bistro
Schmidt Buckeye Classics
Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus
Scioto Reserve Golf & Athletic Club
Shadowbox Cabaret
Smith & Wollensky
The Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Crew
The Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant
Vino Vino Restaurant and Wine Bar