SF's Glide Foundation Sets Fundraising Record At Warren Buffet Auction
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— A deep-pocketed anonymous bidder forked over nearly $3.5 million in a Glide Foundation Charity Auction to dine with billionaire Warren Buffet.
The charity event set a record for the Glide Foundation, which helps the homeless, located in San Francisco's Tenderloin District. Glide's Reverend Cecil Williams had an enthusiastic reaction to the bid.
"We were at a point around $1.2 million last night and we were thinking it wasn't going to work like it did last year," he said, referring to last year's previous record setting auction of $2 million.
Things didn't look promising just moments before the close of bidding, until with only seconds left the donor called with the bid to save the day.
The Reverend Williams has spoken with the donor and is respecting his wish to remain anonymous.
"His money will help Glide, help others; people who find themselves unable to get their lives together and therefore are always on the edge," said Williams.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
Warren Buffet addressed last night's crowd at Glide by video, calling the foundation an exciting project that changes thousands of people's lives.
"I have fun having this lunch. I probably should write a check myself for having the lunch," Buffet said.
The investor and philanthropist has supported the church with the auctioned lunch ever since his late first wife, Susan, Introduced him to Rev. Williams.
Williams called Buffet one of the most jovial, frank and honest persons that he's ever come across.
Glide's annual budget to help the poor and homeless is $17 million dollars.
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