Hall of Fame Winners Give Back to their Communities

This year at eBay Live! eBay presented the 2nd Annual Community Hall of Fame Awards to recognize five members who have been tremendous assets to the eBay Community. Each had been an active participant in the Community for a minimum of two years, and made outstanding contributions to the Community as a whole, while being liked and respected by their peers.

eBay's CEO Meg Whitman honored each award member on stage at eBay Live! 2003 in Orlando this year during the gala party on Saturday night for their commitment and service to the eBay Community. This year, in addition to a commemorative trophy, each Community Award recipient had $1,000 donated in their name to the charity of their choice, funded by the eBay Foundation.

Choosing a charity was no small task for the winners, and the stories behind the selections they made say much about their dedication to service.

eBay Hall of Fame Award winner beachbadge spent much time thinking about the potential impact of the donation. She wanted to make sure that the funds wouldn't just be a drop in the bucket for an organization, but rather a meaningful contribution. After conducting research, making a long list of potential groups and consulting her family, beachbadge selected the Avon-By-The Sea First Aid and Safety Squad to receive her donation.

eBay Hall of Fame Award winner beachbadge told us that her first real experience in giving to back to a community was during her teenage years as a member of the Avon-By-The Sea First Aid and Safety Squad, a volunteer group that provides emergency services to the seaside community located on the Atlantic Ocean, 60 miles from New York City. As a volunteer for the First Aid Squad, she went through many hours of training to learn lifesaving techniques. It was through her work with the organization where she learned to put others first by responding to calls for help. No matter what time of day it was and regardless of any plans, everything was dropped at the sound of the radio call for help.

About the award, beachbadge said, "eBay is presenting me with an award for my Community participation. I have the Avon First Aid Squad to thank for teaching me how wonderful it feels when you help someone in a time of need."

Here is a list of the five winners of the 2003 eBay Live! Community Awards:

goodfynder
An active buyer and seller of dolls and related items, goodfynder has been a contributor to the boards for many years. goodfynder was instrumental in building the Doll Board community from its earliest beginnings, and her contributions set the positive tone within which this board community has consistently provided a fun, educational and welcoming atmosphere for anyone interested in dolls.

goodfynder selected the Pacific Lutheran University Athletics/Crew team as the recipient of the eBay Foundation grant. Founded in 1890, over 3,400 students attend PLU, which awards degrees in both liberal arts and professional programs. PLU's Lute Varsity Rowing Club was established in 1964 and annually is one of the top contenders at the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships.

danceswithcameras
An active regular participant on the Town Square for more than four years, danceswithcameras interests in "real life" are "being a silversmith, a musician and a photographer". danceswithcameras currently hosts the "Town Square Photo Album," giving members a place to store the images they want to share with the wider Community. danceswithcameras always keeps things lively, using his great sense of humor to lighten the mood and diffuse tense situations.

danceswithcameras selected SER de New Mexico, Inc as the recipient of the eBay Foundation grant. SER works to strengthen the fight against poverty and encourage family self-sufficiency throughout New Mexico. SER supports job training, educational programs, and mentoring programs and focuses on increasing literacy throughout New Mexico.

rosiefuture
An accomplished artist, bookkeeper and active eBay buyer and seller, rosiefuture helps calm the volatile Town Square, setting a great example in all her posts. rosiefuture's "PERFECTLY, peaceful, post" thread is still alive after almost two years, providing a shelter from turbulence when the board is chaotic and people just want a fun place to chat. On a board where members eagerly debate politics and religion, rosiefuture helps provide the stability that allows the community to embrace chaos, and return to the hearth when the debate is over.

rosiefuture selected the Valley River Humane Society as the recipient of the eBay Foundation grant. The Valley River Humane Society operates a shelter for homeless and abandoned animals. The Humane Society provides shelter and foster care for pets, facilitates pet adoptions and gives veterinary care to animals in its facility.

livsnana
For nearly two years, eBay powerseller livsnana has posted a new thread on both the Auction Listings and Clothing boards each day to encourage friendly chatting and mutual encouragement. livsnana includes a question each day as a means of giving newcomers an easy way to join in. livsnana also hosts an "introduce yourself" thread on the Clothing Board, assuring that all newcomers feel welcomed and wanted. livsnana's leadership helps both of these massive boards be healthy and inclusive communities.

livsnana selected Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital Foundation as the recipient of the eBay Foundation grant. Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital is a community hospital that provides a wide array of both inpatient and outpatient services. Their mission is to maintain, restore and promote good health. The Hospital Foundation aids, strengthens and furthers the charitable work of the hospital.

beachbadge
An eBay buyer and seller and an active participant on The Park and Miscellaneous boards, beachbadge is also a police dispatcher and 911 operator. beachbadge is a willing volunteer, not only on the boards, but also as a writer for The Chatter and serving as a member of Voices. Her virtual "rum balls" are famous in the weekly Share Your Wares events.

beachbadge selected Avon-by-the-Sea First Aid and Safety Squad as the recipient of the eBay Foundation grant. The Avon-by-the-Sea First Aid and Safety Squad is a volunteer group that provides emergency services to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea as required. Avon-by-the-Sea is a four season, seaside community located on the Atlantic Ocean -just 60 miles from New York and Philadelphia.

eBay would like to thank all of this year's award winners for their valuable contributions. For more information on the eBay Foundation, please go to http://pages.ebay.com/community/aboutebay/foundation/index.html