"I met Doug Sorrell in October of 2018. He had been recommended to me by one of my clients, who told me that Doug could sell anything! Our spring event never raised more than $12,000, with attendance
around 150. We really wanted to do better. Doug had an amazing vision for us. Initially we were
skeptical, because the idea was more than we had every imagined. Doug convinced us that we could
hold a large gala, sell high-quality packages, and make a lot of money for our non-profit.
Initially, our goal was $35,000, which I thought was very optimistic. However, with Doug’s guidance,
insight, and wonderful contacts, the Fur Ball was an amazing success – 265 attendees, an amazingly fun
time, and $63,000 to help us save animals’ lives. Doug was a huge hit with our donors.
For 2020, we have set our goal at $100,000. With Doug’s assistance, we know we will get there.
Doug helps the event planners all the way from initial plans to wrapping up the evening. His experience
is invaluable in planning a successful event. I heartily recommend Doug for any nonprofit who wants to
hold a highly successful and profitable fundraiser.
Lee Schrader, DVM
Executive Director
The Fayette Regional Humane Society
"With your advice, we changed the way we approached fundraising and surpassed our goal. Never before has the event been funded before it starts, much less 2 weeks before. Planting the seeds of our funding plea took it from $12k last year to over $35k this year. This, I believe, is the greatest accomplishment and the one I am most proud of. Thank you!"
Michelle Gardner
The New School Montesorri
"I just wanted to THANK YOU for such a fantastic job. You transformed our event. The feedback was phenomenal, and our earnings were also just that. (Even without our top two donors who didn't make it). We are so excited that we have connected with you and your willingness to support our organization. We will get next year's date set soon and will be in touch! Once again, thank you so much."
Lauren Townsend - Event Chair
Ohio Alleycat Resource Center
"I have been associated with Doug Sorrell for close to thirty years and have attended and hosted events that have featured Doug. As a performer his on stage presence has the very unique ability to maximize the entertainment for his audience and get the crowd involved. As an auctioneer, his results are unparalleled. While most auctioneers mechanically sell to the highest bidder, Doug engages the crowd, builds enthusiasm, and raises perceived value so he always gets the most money out of the room. People have fun at his events and he always reminds the audience 'Friends, this is a FUNDRAISER'. Together with Doug, we have raised record amounts of money including over $1,000,000 in one night for cancer patients, families and caregivers in our community. He is a trusted advisor, a valuable team member, and a good friend. I can unconditionally recommend Doug Sorrell to all fund raising organizations."
Bob Mills
Founder
Gala of Hope Foundation
"I like Doug Sorrell a lot and have seen him now on three or four separate occasions doing his craft. What I noticed last year at the Antioch School function is that he has really crafted a full show as a headliner. Perhaps, originally, years ago, when people first called on him to be an auctioneer, he performed his auctioneer duties as a kind of opening act that would lead to the "main event" of the evening. Since then, he has clearly developed quite the following and full shtick. He is now the main event. He has his own shtick, his own stories, his own jokes, his own leisurely pace. He is a master at this auctioneering thing. I also felt, especially with last year's event, that he has learned over the years how to read the crowd, how to play the crowd, how to get people to relax, have fun, feel good about the event, feel good about the organization on the whole, and, well, um, reach for their wallet. Which is a good thing. He has learned the psychology of gently, respectfully, and light-heartedly separating people from their money. He can't be rushed. I see him go down a certain path in the "ask" and if it doesn't work the way he wants, he tries something else. And then maybe he even comes back to his original path. It is really fascinating to watch him in action."
Liz Griffin
The Antioch School
Dear Doug, We cannot express how thankful we are for all of your wisdom, support and guidance during the planning of Spring Valley Academy's Auction, and during the event itself. We know it would not have been nearly as successful without you!
Heidi Shull & Melanie Willsey
Dear Doug, You are truly amazing! Thanks to you our Live auction exceeded our goal. Your help in planning the event was invaluable. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your help and expertise.
Best wishes,
Pam Sibcy
Sibcy Cline Realtors
"How do I thank you enough for such a wonderful Friend Raiser ? It was marvelous. What a huge success. With your help, we have established recognizable awareness of an exceptional non-profit in the community. We would not have been able to achieve that "Top of the Mind" recognition without you."
Betty Lou Townley
Founder, Therapeutic Riding Institute
Dayton,Ohio
"Thanks for a spot-on, comprehensive review of the evening Doug. You achieved Superstar status as usual and the crowd was both shocked and mesmerized - a winning combination!
We would not have achieved what we did with anyone else. I just hope I can increase the number of benevolent bodies at next years event. It was great to work with you again. I love a pro."
Marna Young(a 22+ year veteran of charity gala events)
Development/Public Relations, Humane Association of Warren County
"Wow, it is so hard to believe that the Clara Barton Classic has came and gone. On behalf of the 2011 Clara Barton Classic Committee I would like to thank you for helping to make this event a success! You're auctioneer skills are absolutely amazing. You definitely lighten the mood and inspire people to give for a good cause. Once again, we have helped to raise over $38,000 to help keep critical Red Cross programs and services in our community and we couldn't have done it without you! Words cannot express my gratitude. Thanks again and I hope to work with you again next year."
Soteria C. Brown
Marketing and Communications Specialist Dayton Area Chapter of American Red Cross
"Doug, We can't thank you enough for your service as auctioneer last night at our March of Dimes event. Your expertise truly helped us raise more money than ever before! We couldn't have done it without you. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We were lucky to have you for our event!"
Cheri Klisares
March of Dimes Women's Board
Columbus, Ohio
"Doug, thank you again for the wonderful job you did last night. I am so impressed by you and what you do. I just cannot say enough nice things to make you understand how important your role has been for the Humane Society these last few years."
Lisa Block
Chairperson 2010 Pet Afflaire
"Doug, we just wanted to make sure you know how grateful we are to you for your time and dedication to the inagural Doors of Compasssion. It was an absolute success raising over $70,000.00 for the families of Dayton's Ronald McDonald House! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"
Brandy McFall, Karen Dempsey Volke, and 8 committee members
"Thank you so much again for helping us with another successful Dayton Cattle Baron's Ball! Because of you, we were able to raise over $127,000 to fight cancer. We were so thrilled to work with you and look forward to another great year!"
Lindsey Hincks
American Cancer Society
"I can't tell you how many regulars said they were entertained and impressed on a much higher level than ever before. ALL of them mentioned you specifically. YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAID YOU WERE... honesty in advertisement is very important to me, so for that I say thank you X 1 million! We will always call you for availability before scheduling our auction."
Chris Feix
Auction Chair
Ainad Shrine, East St Louis, Illinois
"I have been an Executive in non-profits for 25 years, and conducted several auctions including many in California. Without a doubt, Doug Sorrell is the best auctioneer I have ever seen. He met with us in advance to discuss lighting, order of auction items, the program, and tips on our Silent Auction. All of which were very helpful.
Doug made the evening very enjoyable - he is far beyond an auctioneer, he is an entertainer! His ability to use humor to engage the audience, and encourage people to bid without making anyone uncomfortable was great!
Our goal for the Little Art Theatre fundraising event was $20,000. Doug auctioned five items and conducted a funding plea, which netted nearly $30,000. As a result, we cleared over $60,000 (triple our goal) for the Little Art Theatre. We can't thank him enough. I would unconditionally recommend Doug - his fee vs. the amount of money he raises is well worth it!"
Kipra Heermann
Event Coordinator
The Little Art Theatre, Yellow Springs, Ohio
"Many thanks for a wonderful "performance"...in the Heat of the Night! You did, once again, a magnificent job."
Dick Amann
Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation
"Doug is absolutely wonderful to work with. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the process. Having worked with him over the past few years, we can say that he energizes us as we plan the auction and he presents it to the group at our event."
Kelly, Janie & Sue
The Grandview Foundation
"Doug Sorrell single-handedly changed our college alumni reunion auction from an Off-Off Broadway production to a full-on Broadway EVENT. He had wonderful ideas for what to offer in the live auction, how to maximize bids, how to set up the venue for best visibility, and made the auction a record-setting smash that people are STILL talking about months later! Doug was wonderful to work with and simply amazing to watch. We would eagerly hire him again."
Kristen Pett
Board Member
Antioch College Alumni Association
"He is the best in the business... period!"
Bob Grant
Wright State University Director of Athletics
"What can I say about Doug that hasn’t been known by hundreds, make that thousands of people he’s impacted over the years. Beyond being the best auctioneer I’ve ever worked with (MANY YEARS for MANY CHARITIES). To watch him at work is like watching a master artist at the canvas, an actor on stage mesmerizing an audience, who keeps it light but never forgets the reason we’re raising money. I salute him."
Carl Day
Emmy Award winning Television News Anchor
Broadcast Hall of Famer
"If you haven’t been to a Charity Auction with Doug Sorrell as the Auctioneer, you are in for a treat. Doug did the Justin Timberlake/ Shriners Hospital for Children Open event in Las Vegas and was absolutely fantastic. No other word can describe this man. He holds the attention of the crowd and keeps everyone smiling. Raises a lot of money also. It is the Charity that is the big winner in any case with Doug."
Ralph W. Semb
Past Chief Executive Officer and President, Shriners Hospitals for Children
"I have known Doug Sorrell for many years and have attended more auctions that he presided over than I can count. I also have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Sorrell in the planning stages of an event. He is extremely thorough, very articulate, and the consummate professional. He is the best that I have seen, and I have attended a lot of auctions. Doug adds value to whatever he does."
Bob Mills
Founder, Mills Development Companies
Philanthropist
"You can’t go wrong with Doug. He keeps the whole room laughing as he makes money for your cause. He’s a real professional."
Krista Magaw
Executive Director, Tecumseh Land Trust
"We used Doug Sorrell as our auctioneer for our Main Event 2009 Charity Auction Gala! He was full of "good" surprises throughout the evening! In a tough economic time, he brought humor and dollars to the room full of tentative bidders which resulted in contributing to our $243,000 net profit!"
Debbie Geiger
Advancement Director, Moeller High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
"I have had the pleasure of watching Doug Sorrell work his magic in three capacities: in my profession as the Director of Development for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, in my volunteer work as a Board member of the Therapeutic Riding Institute, and as the mother of a child with diabetes, for the Dayton chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In addition to raising significant amounts of money during his auctions, Doug engages and entertains the crowd, enhancing the competition and actually making it fun for people to give their money away."
Kelly Marie Weiler
"Once again you exceeded everyone's expectations at the event. You do such an unbelievable job as an auctioneer, we are so lucky to have you here in Dayton. As usual, you are the greatest!"
Michael S. Karaman
President, James Free Jewelers
"His integrity is beyond reproach..."
Mike and Shauna Gardner
Spanish Fork, Utah
"We absolutely use Doug every year for our auction. He is a pro to work with, definitely keeps the auction lively, and knows how to get the most out of the crowd!"
Lisa Beam
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
"On behalf of the Miamisburg Winter Guard programs, I'd like to thank you for your assistance to our Festival of Trees Holiday Auction. Just telling people you are our auctioneer brings them to the event. This was the first time I had ever seen you work and I was amazed! We raised so much money thanks to you."
Becky Diehl
Chairperson
"Doug Sorrell makes our charity auctions come alive. His vibrant attitude and commanding presence makes every Auction an event."
Domenico G. Stolfo
CEO, Synergy Building Systems
"Since 1991 Doug Sorrell has been an integral and valued partner in raising much needed funds for our work here at Dayton Children’s Medical Center. Doug’s passion for our mission and for the children and families we serve is visible. In the years we have worked with Doug, he provides suggestions and new ideas that have resulted in significant increases in dollars raised. Doug Sorrell is a valued partner at Dayton Children’s and in our community."
Vicki Giambrone
Vice President, marketing and external relations
The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton
"For over 30 years, I have attended charity auctions in the Miami Valley and in that time, I have also observed several auctioneers: their approach to the item being auctioned as well as the audience that is in attendance. Without a doubt, Doug has "the approach" to make the sale happen. Bottom line: if you have items to sell, Doug is the one to do it."
Michael A. Houser
President, Houser Asphalt
"It has been our pleasure as a non-profit agency to have known and worked with Doug over the past four years. His manner of connecting with his audience and raising the most revenue possible has been invaluable to Agape for Youth, Inc."
Stephen M. Geib,
Executive Director
Agape for Youth, Inc.
"Doug is Super! He seemed to have a sincere interest in our cause and was able to elicit enthusiasm and participation from the audience, even in an economic lull. I will definitely request his assistance again!"
Judy Recker
Fur Ball Chairperson, SPCA Cincinnati
"When it comes to really knowing how to handle an auction in a most professional manner, and at the same time tailor his demeanor and program to fit the audience, Doug Sorrell is the person. He commands everyone’s attention by keeping every item interesting, is very informative, and exciting to the potential buyers. It is fun to attend an auction that Doug is handling and from past experience, very profitable to the deserving organization or charity."
Gene Bracewell
Past Imperial Potentate
Shrine of North America
Emeritus Chairman, Board of Trustees, Shriners Hospitals