Charity Donation Advice: Set Selection?

[Anonymous]

One of our local organizations that support disabled kids - www.pacer.org -(My Autistic daughter is a client) is hosting their annual gala/silent auction in May.

I’d like to planning on donating a NIB RTR Lionel set to the auction (my daughter - as well as many other autistic kids - seem to be deeply affected by toy trains).

I would would love the forum's advice as to what the good values are in readily available sets.

While I know MTH and Williams may have better options in terms of absolute value; I’m confident that “Lionel” still holds enough cache with the general (non-train) public that it would do much better in the silent auction. (For the same reason, I’m wondering if I should just buy the Polar Express set for the auction and call it a day.)

I’d like to keep the price to the $300 or lower neighborhood.

Your votes/reccomendations would be greatly appreciated; and I'll be happy to report back in May what the set goes for in a black-tie/charity setting!

[pbjwilson]

The Polar Express would be an excellent choice. And a very generous and thoughtful donation as well. Best wishes to you and your family.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I agree, the Polar Express would be a great choice. Sit the book on top of the box for display.

[wrmcclellan]

[#ditto]

[dwiemer]

You can't go wrong with the polar express set. It will draw the attraction of the non-railroad crowd. As an aside, Trains are a great way for autistic kids to enjoy themselves. In fact, Neil Young got involved with Lionel because his young son who is autistic loved trains so much. It was his only "outlet". If you contact Lionel, perhaps they can arrange for a donation. Good luck, it is a great endevor to take care of these kids.
Dennis

[jimhaleyscomet]

Our operating society recently raffeled off a Polar Express Set and we did very well. The dealer sold the set to us at cost and we took in three times as much in tickets (at a large train show).

If you have a silent auction, be sure to show the suggested retail price beside it (and perhaps a lionel catalog opened to that page) so that people will appreciate its value.

Jim H