Great job at the frag swap guys!

[gem]

MARS frag swaps are always a good time! It was nice to see old friends again! The raffle prizes were INCREDIBLE! Chris is probably STILL reading off raffle tickets at 6 pm! Wish I would have one the Hydra but I went home with the Kessil so I'm a happy camper!

Thanks for a great job done!!!!

 

[Saltwaternooby]

Yep that raffle was TOO long. Glad you got something nice, i got fish food.

 

[gem]

MARS frag swaps are always a good time! It was nice to see old friends again! The raffle prizes were INCREDIBLE! Chris is probably STILL reading off raffle tickets at 6 pm! Wish I would have won the Hydra but I went home with the Kessil so I'm a happy camper!

Thanks for a great job done!!!!

 

[gem]

Oops. Didn't mean to do that. Lol.

Anthony? Fish Food? You always win cool stuff. Lucky streak must be over?

 

[Borchers]

The same 6 people one everything !

 

[TigeBell]

The same 6 people one everything !

yup, I believe that they did . But, at least we participated for a great cause. :bounce1:

 

[rmrjwieger]

At some point there should be a limit on prizes won my individuals as it tends to sour the mass's that payed there hard earned money for chance to win those grate prizes . If for no other reason then to try and keep people wanting and willing to continue supporting the clubs and the grate charity's that are being represented. Sorry if this come off harsh just seamed a little unfair for the mass's .

 

[kenko]

It was fun overall and a ton of raffle prizes, even if they were won by a handful of people, that were awesome. Great job!!

Heather and I will gladly help for the next. we both have worked on/ set up raffles, auctions and big events before.

We came home with a few really nice corals to help fill our new tank and a couple raffle prizes too.

 

[gem]

At some point there should be a limit on prizes won my individuals as it tends to sour the mass's that payed there hard earned money for chance to win those grate prizes . If for no other reason then to try and keep people wanting and willing to continue supporting the clubs and the grate charity's that are being represented. Sorry if this come off harsh just seamed a little unfair for the mass's .

On some level, I agree with you. However, I know of a couple kids that won a lot whose strategy is to spread their tickets amongst smaller items for a better chance. The fact that they won a lot tells me those were mostly not highly sought after prizes. I, personally spent $20 on raffle tickets and put them in for two specific items and walked out with one of those two items, while I know someone who spent $300 on tickets who didn't win anything. This particular swap was for a charity and he was just happy the money was going for a good cause. Your feelings on the subject are often how I have felt after spending $50 or so on raffle tickets and watching one person seemingly win every prize while not one of my tickets are pulled. So I get it. It's like sitting down at a slot machine in Vegas and pumping $100 into the machine and losing it all, then you get up and someone sits down and puts in $20 and hits the jackpot. Luck of the draw.

 

[gem]

On another note.....the shear number of raffle prizes ($10,000 worth) was insane!!!!!! Chris......you truly outdid yourself collecting those!!!!

 

[afamousjohnson]

Ive seen a lot of raffles where one person cleans house quite a few times. Cant say I have ever seen it that drastic tho lol. There were 4 faces that prolly just should have stayed on the stage as odds were good they would win next also congrats to those folks always so cool winning something and even cooler if ya win half the raffle lol
NVR prez really took the cake - dont think ive ever seen anyone win so many times in one sitting and as a bonus even scored a new holding cooler for a new comer - glad to help out your new club member and new swapper. Generosity is something that sits deep within our clubs and hopefully that was shown there with that simple act and we have a new up and comer in the making for next time - and now they can hold all the awesome corals they score at these amazing events.

My favorite part (other than winning something lol - I didnt :-D) is seeing a prize go to a fitting candidate. There were 2 that stood out to me when their # was called that I sat and thought "I am so glad they won that specific item.....of course since it wasn't me haha"

Loved seeing Neil win the saw - it is perfect for the amazing corals he deals with and I am sure looks slick next to his sick tank - great job Neil! Couldnt of want to a better guy.

The other - Scoly. I know I know - that guy wins all the time lol but it's because the universe takes care of its own. That guy is amazing when it comes to just helping the world be better with kindness. It also seems as if the universe was apologizing for a rough tank year for that fella. And in a way giving him frag tank hope due to frag tank hard times by handing him a new frag tank system.

Congrats to all the winners - had a great time and the raffle really was of the hook like a big fish.

 

[afamousjohnson]

Hold that - I did score the seduction from the LE raffle :-D

 

[swk]

Glad your event went well. Being self employed, With a toddler and a newborn its hard to get out of the house let alone make the 180 mi round trip to sac and back. Next year I'm hoping to make it!

 

[TigeBell]

Hold that - I did score the seduction from the LE raffle :-D

I agree. I scored better on the corals. There was a Strawberry Shortcake Acro on the table my 4th time in

 

[generaltoaster]

If you take a look at all the stuff we won, it's mostly the little items no one really really wanted. We spent a lot of money on tickets and just don't put them all in one place like some people do.

 

[tfp]

Great job on the Frag Swap everyone! Really glad I stopped by...had a chance to re-connect with a lot of people I haven't seen in awhile. Its fun just catching up about life these days

 

[cichlid9]

thanks mars for another great swap. I've attended some other swaps but mars always seems to out do them all. You know its a great swap when people complain that the raffle is lasting too long!

I know a lot of the same people won a lot of prizes but who knows how many tickets they bought and how many tickets they put in each bag. The main thing is I saw a bunch of swappers and thousands of raffle tickets which equals a very nice donation to Tyler's Grace Foundation!

 

[kblack3]

Great job on the Frag Swap everyone! Really glad I stopped by...had a chance to re-connect with a lot of people I haven't seen in awhile. Its fun just catching up about life these days

MARS frag swaps are always a good time! It was nice to see old friends again! The raffle prizes were INCREDIBLE! Chris is probably STILL reading off raffle tickets at 6 pm! [emoji4] Wish I would have one the Hydra but I went home with the Kessil so I'm a happy camper!



Thanks for a great job done!!!!

I love stalking the forums and I'm bummed that my kids came down with colds and therefore couldn't make it out to the event but it sounded like an amazing event and a great charity. Congrats to all who put on the show, that type of hard work and charitable donation changes people's lives! Miss you all hope to make it to an event soon!

 

[hnnhflns]

Thank you everyone who attended and who brought all the wonderful corals to the tables. During check in I saw many stunning pieces go out to the tables (I am sure I saw entire red dragon mini-colonies at some point:eek1:, so a shout out to whoever brought those!)

Thank you to Chris and Anthony for getting so many donations! They worked seriously hard and spent hundreds of hours getting those prizes for us!

I also wanted to thank several of the members who were gracious enough to helps us during the swapping itself: Heather, Karl, Thomas, and Christi. There was just so much for Chris, Anthony, and myself to do the entire day, they really helped make it possible for the 3 of us to do some swapping as well.

Also, thank you to everyone who stayed and helped clean up last night. It means a lot to the MARS committee and BOD that so many people are here to help the club!

We are already looking into and planning the December meeting, so it is going to be a good one! We are also in the beginning of planning a new and exciting event for next year! All I can say is that it is going to be a good one! :dance:

 

[Borchers]

I had an amazing time hanging out with old friends and Fish Nerds alike. You guys rocked the raffle.................HOLY CRAP! The swap moved quickly with the orders and frags in the tables. The selection was par for the event. Lots of regulars on the Z&P tables though I never made the SPS tables. I heard they were off the hook.

My suggestions

1) Refined list of Ultra, Rare and LE tickets. Saw LE stuff that's beyond common now.

2) Quality over quantity. Instead of 100 things how about 25 Amazing things. Maybe have several high end prizes. The frag packs were awesome. The pumps, RODI stuff, high end test kits, high end lighting rocked it. It got very long when the gift cards and multiple tanks were won. It seemed to be the longest raffle ever...LOL. Maybe build large multi boxes that have a tone of cool stuff for the winner.


I came home happy with a purchase from each vendor so that was great. Thank you guys so very much for what you put together for us Reef Nuts. I know you guys pulled a ton of strings and greased a lot of wheels this year.

Oh one more thing..........Hanna Hnnhflns needs a loud speaker and a nap. She was stressed watching people hanging out in the picking area after time.