One cow fetched a record breaking $150,000

Published : Sunday, 20 Nov 2011, 9:07 AM CST
Calily Bien

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Milton Verret & Samia Joseph stop by with a colorful cow to talk about how much money was raised for the Superhero Kids Endowment at Dell Children’s Medical Center via the CowParade.

40 incredibly artistic cows found new homes and the organization raised $1.49 million.  This particular cow, was auctioned off for $100,000.

To watch the video, click here.

Hosted by Jay Leno, the cows will have new homes

Updated: Monday, 14 Nov 2011, 2:59 PM CST
Published : Monday, 14 Nov 2011, 2:59 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Sunday night’s auction of 60 painted fiberglass cow statues from “CowParade Austin” well exceeded expectations as more than 1,200 attendees took part in the event and raised $1.49 million to find the cows new homes. The event was hosted by the Tonight Show’s Jay Leno.

The artistic statues have graced the streets of Austin the past three months, but now will be moved to locations of the buyers’ choosings.

Funds raised will go to The Superhero Kids Endowment at the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas .

The artsy animals sold in the live auction segment had final bids ranging from $10,000 to a world-record-breaking $150,000 and an average bid price of $33,660.

CowParade auctions in other parts of the country have raised, on average, $7,500 per cow, according to event organizers. Twenty cows that were not sold on the live auction block were sold at a silent auction immediately following the live event, and went for a minimum of $2,250 each, up to $10,000 per cow.

CowParade Austin Honorary Chairwoman Lucy Baines Johnson purchased the Vince Young Championship Longhorn, created by Scott Tao LaBossiere, for $150,000. It is a steer covered in more than 8,000 copper pennies that has been featured since the opening the Vince Young Steakhouse.

“Cowch,” a seated cow sculpture that features a cowhide sofa by artist Rebecca Wolfe, was purchased for $150,000 by an anonymous bidder.

The previous CowParade cow sale record was $146,000, set in Dublin in 2003, featuring a collection of Waterford crystals, proving just how generous the residents of Austin are when it comes to supporting the local community, according to event organizers.

“As an avid collector, I’ve experienced a number of high-profile auctions in my day, but I don’t think anything as fun or compelling as what we put on in Austin last night,” said Milton Verret, founder of U.S. Money Reserve , the presenting sponsor of CowParade Austin . “Everyone seemed to have an incredible time at the event and most importantly, we raised a huge sum of money to support families whose children are fighting cancer and blood diseases thanks to the hard work of Mr. Leno, our auctioneer Spanky and my friend Dean Leipsner.”

Leipsner is CEO of U.S. Money Reserve.

The event was staged at The Moody Theater at ACL Live on Sunday, with famous auctioneer Spanky Assiter in charge of the bidding.

Superhero Kids co-founder Samia Joseph, along with her husband, John Joseph, who is a partner with Coats Rose, Yale, Ryman and Lee, P.C., created the organization to support children and their families confronted by cancer and blood disorders.

“We’re utterly speechless at what transpired last night. We can’t thank Milton Verret, U.S. Money Reserve and this community enough for their keen eye for creative art and for their unbelievably generous spirit,” said Samia Joseph.

All winning bidders had their pictures taken with their prize cow sculptures and Leno. CowParade Austin sponsors and those who made donations of more than $500 for a ticket to the event were treated to a VIP reception where they had an opportunity to meet the popular Tonight Show host.

To read the full article and watch the exclusive interview with Jay Leno, click here.

Many of the CowParade statues across Austin found a new home Saturday night.

More than 40 one-of-a-kind cow statues were auctioned off for $1.58 million at the Moody Theater. The money raised went to families of children receiving treatment at the Children Blood and Cancer Center at Dell Children’s Hospital.

Samia Joseph, co-founder of Superhero Kids, said the household income is often cut in half when a spouse quits a job to take care of a sick child.

“After talking with these parents and seeing these kids, we decided we needed to do more and we have been just overwhelmed by the support Austin has shown us. We have been just so excited,” Samia Joseph, co-founder of Superhero Kids, said.

Organizers said the cows have gone for close to $10,000 each in the past.

To watch the video, click here.

“Cow Parade” bovines auctioned off

AUSTIN – After entertaining the city for the past few months, the cow statues we’ve seen around the city are gone.
Most of them were auctioned off for charity Sunday night. The event took place at the Moody Theater at the W Hotel with comedian Jay Leno hosting the event.

The top winner is the creation named “Cowch,” which is a cow with a couch built into the side of it. It sold for $150,000.
The favorite cow at KVUE is named “Blazin Bovine,” and was created by one of our own photojournalists, Doug Naugle. It sold at the auction for $17,500.

All of the money raised goes to support the “Superhero Kids Endowment” at Dell Children’s Medical Center.

To watch the video, click here.

Those colorful cows around Austin can be yours for your home or office. CEO of U.S. Money Reserve Dean Leipsner joined We Are Austin Mornings to tell you how you can take one of the pieces of art home with you.

On Sunday, November 13, we will hold the Austin Art Cow Auction at ACL Live and will feature special guest, Jay Leno. Call 512.225-5299 or visit www.CowParadeAustin.com to RSVP.

The Austin Art Cow Auction will benefit the Superhero Kids Endowment at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Superhero Kids Fund provides financial assistance for families in need receiving treatment at Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center. From helping with travel expenses to keeping a family’s lights on, Superhero Kids works to fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families during treatment. Each cow is a one-of-a-kind piece of art created by a local artist. The cows have been on display throughout the Austin area since late July and it is finally time for them to “moo-ve” to their new homes.

To watch the full video, click here.

Published: 11:19 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011

Jay Leno will be the celebrity host when CowParade Austin auctions the colorful painted bovines that have populated public spaces for several months, it was announced Tuesday.

Money raised in the Nov. 13 event at ACL Live will go to the Superhero Kids fund at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Spanky Assiter, known for his work with the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., will be auctioneer.

According to organizers, 45 cows decorated by Austin artists will be up for bids. For tickets, go to cowparadeaustin.com or call 225-5299.

— Sharon Chapman

To read the full article, click here.

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Cow Parade Austin has announced that a very special guest will be joining in on the fun at the auction benefiting SuperHero Kids at Dell Children’s Hospital of Austin.

NBC’s own Jay Leno is known for his generous donations to charities and will be lending his talents in auctioning off the Austin art cows to new homes.

The beloved cow statues placed in spots all over the city were decorated by local artists. They will be sold for between $500 to $10,000 each to the highest bidders. Cows will be sold with no reserve, meaning there is no minumum bid for the 40-to 45 cows which will be sold at the live auction.

To read the full article and see the video, click here.

by REBEKAH HOOD

AUSTIN — CowParade announced Tuesday morning the event’s live auction will take place at the ACL Moody Theater on Nov. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jay Leno will be the night’s celebrity guest and will take pictures with those who win one of the 40 to 45 cows that will be auctioned.

This is an invitation only event available to 2,000 guests. The public can receive an invitation with a suggested donation of $25. VIP invitations are also available beginning at $500.

To read the full article, click here.

BY KEVIN BENZ
10.18.11 | 04:29 pm

The CowParade Austin herd is moo-ving on up, and they’ll have a pretty hefty guest star helping them. NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno is coming to Austin’s CowParade auction to lend some star power to the event. The auction benefits the Dell Children’s Medical Center Superhero Kids.

Those cool fiberglass art cows (78 in all) you see all over town were decorated by Central Texas artists and will be sold to the highest bidder on November 13th at the ACL Live Moody Theater inside the W Hotel.

To read the full article, click here.

Hollywood icon attending CowParade Auction on November 13th; to benefit the Dell Children’s Medical Center SuperHero Kids Endowment

October 18, 2011 – Austin, TX – Milton Verret, philanthropist and founder of U.S. Money Reserve, today announced that “The Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will participate in the upcoming “CowParade Austin” Auction. The event will be held on November 13th from 6:00-8:00 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin.

There are more than 70 Cows located around Austin that were decorated by local artists. At the upcoming auction, each Cow is expected to bring in thousands of dollars from generous bidders living throughout the Austin community. The proceeds will help families and young patients of the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center of Dell Children’s Medical Center, known as the SuperHero Kids.

“We are so excited that Jay Leno has agreed to come to Austin for this worthwhile fundraiser,” said Milton Verret. “Jay’s generous participation at the ‘CowParade’ Auction is exciting news for the Austin community, the artists and sponsors, but most importantly, for the young patients of Dell Children’s Medical Center.”

CowParade Austin Auction Details:
·        Invitation only event (available to 2,000 guests).

·        The public can receive invitations by making a donation of at least $25.

·        VIP invitations are also available for donations beginning at $500.

·        To receive an invitation to the event, visit www.austinartcowsauction.com <http://www.austinartcowsauction.com>  or call (512) 225-5299.

·        40-45 cows will be auctioned live.

·        Proceeds from the auction will benefit the SuperHero Kids Endowment of Dell Children’s Medical Center.

·        The auction will be conducted by Spanky Assiter, one of the most renowned auctioneers in the U.S.

·        Cows are to be sold with no reserve, meaning there is no minimum bid. They are expected to sell between $500 and $10,000.

###

About Milton Verret
Milton Verret is an Austin entrepreneur and philanthropist who works with children’s charities all over the United States.  To date, Mr. Verret has been responsible for donations to nearly a dozen non-profit organizations.  Mr. Verret is an avid collector of classic cars and rock and roll memorabilia.  He recently added the world famous “Thriller Jacket” worn by the legendary Michael Jackson to his collection.  Mr. Verret has already started using the jacket as means to raise more money for children’s causes all over the world.

About US Money Reserve
Founded by Milton Verret in 2001, US Money Reserve is one of the nation’s largest distributors of U.S. Government-issued gold, silver and platinum coins.  The company has had the pleasure of working with hundreds of thousands of clients who have decided to experience the many financial benefits of owning precious metals.   For more information visit US Money Reserve online at www.usmoneyreserve.com