Every year for the last few years I've donated a pinball machine to our local high school fund raising auction. Tonight I loaded up this Bally Wizard into my truck for its trip tomorrow to the venue. It will be sold Friday night. I hope it does well and I hope it goes to a non-pinhead as it's always good to get a new person into the hobby.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of the game as I was getting ready to take it apart and put it in the truck.

Dave

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Thanks...I decided I'd donate one a few years ago and it's been something I've done every since. Our high school has an auction every year and the middle school has one every other year so I've been donating to each for the last few years.

It is getting harder to find games to donate though as the prices keep going up and games get harder to find. I'll continue to do as long as I can.

I know that it's introduced a few new people to the hobby though and that's a good thing.

Dave

If you're talking about Muskego High School, I believe they still use the Warriors name but their logo is an M with a spear through it. I'm not sure when it changed from the Indian head to the M with spear but that's what they have now.

My kids don't go to Muskego high though. They attend Martin Luther and the auction I'm donating to is the Lutheran High School association of greater Milwaukee, which includes Martin Luther, Milwaukee Lutheran, and Lake Country Lutheran. Probably more than you wanted to know

Dave

So, just in case anyone cares, the Wizard! sold last night for $1550. I'm pretty pleased with that and I think the guy that bought it will like it too.

Eventually, I'll be on the hunt for another "project" that I can pick up on the cheap to fix up and donate.

Dave

As it happens, the guy that bought it has bought the last 3 games I've brought to the auction. I delivered it to his house over the weekend and he still has the other games that he bought so I know they're in a good home. However, he is out of space so I don't think he'll be buying the game I bring next year (assuming I find another good candidate). Unfortunately, when I set the game up it had a problem that I wasn't able to figure out while I was there so I need to get back over there and see if I can figure it out for him. Fortunately, he doesn't live that far from me.

I do get a tax break and it always brings a smile to those at the auction as it is set up and playable. It's fun to listen in on everyone's stories of playing as a kid when they're playing the game.

Dave

Thanks...I always get a little nervous when the game goes up for bid. I'm always hopeful that it will sell for a good price. It started slow but then got into a nice two person battle and the guy who bought it wasn't going to be denied. I was surprised it brought $1550 but am happy it did.

Keep up the good work with Make-A-Wish. My family (son) has actually benefitted from that program and it's an awesome thing.

Dave