Every year Warren Buffett auctions off a lunch with himself to raise money for San Francisco’s Glide Foundation. This year eBay received a record breaking winning bid of $2.63 million. The anonymous winner of the auction is set to receive a lunch with Buffett and seven guests at Smith & Wollensky in Midtown Manhattan. Over the 11 years Buffet has donated the lunch he has helped raise more than $8.5 million for the foundation.
The Glide Foundation is an organization that has been a San Francisco staple since 1929. They provide meals, housing and health services for the homeless and battered women. Warren Buffet’s former wife, who passed away in 2004, was a big advocate for the foundation and Buffet has been supporting the organization ever since.
Buffett became a billionaire when he was able to take his company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., to financial successes. Buffett was named the richest man in the world in 2008 by Forbes magazine, dethroning the perpetual winner Bill Gates. He later lost that title, again to Gates, but is a household name, known worldwide for his financial and philanthropic accomplishments.
For those individuals who can afford it, this opportunity is priceless. Having just a few hours of his undivided attention could prove to be life changing. Imagine the possibilities of financial advice this guru could provide. Many winners in the past have also divulged that they discussed many non-financially related topics as well, spanning the subjects of travel, family and philanthropy. Though my money would, well, be on the money.
For information on volunteering at the Glide Foundation, visit www.glide.org.
