Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2017

39 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com feature M ost in Mount Pleasant would recognize Tom Crawford as the friendly face from Channel 4 News. He is rounding out nearly three decades on broadcast television as an award- winning meteorologist and news anchor and thriving in his current time spot on Lowcountry Live. When he is not in front of the camera, Crawford wears another hat – that of a benefit auctioneer specialist. Over the past 10 years, working about 40 auctions per year, he’s gotten very good at what he does. With his expertise and charisma, Crawford is able to bring in over $10 million for not-for-profit organizations each year. Crawford has worked with several East Cooper benefit auctions over the years, including those of East Cooper Community Outreach, East Cooper Meals on Wheels, Belle Hall Elementary and the American Red Cross, which now holds its galas in Mount Pleasant. “Many Mount Pleasant residents frequent a number of my events, both being held East of the Cooper and other areas,” Crawford said. He has worked events in Mount Pleasant locations such as the Yorktown at Patriots Point, Alhambra Hall, Memorial Waterfront Park and the Omar Shrine Temple. Crawford was first inspired to pursue auctioneering nearly 10 years ago, after teaming up with a local auctioneer, Doug Warner, for a fundraising event at Trident Technical College. Crawford described the auction items, while Warner was the auctioneer. He continued to describe for Warner at several events before deciding to pursue his own auctioneer license. The profession appealed to Crawford’s altruistic nature. BY ANNIE STOPPELBEIN Getting People Excited About Great Causes TomCrawford’s Benefit Auctions Photo by Docent Prodigy. Photo courtesy of Lowcountry Live.