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Marissa Yetts was 3 years old when she passed away. Now, her parents are organizing a sports memorabilia auction to aid various causes, including leukemia research at UNMC. |
The parents of a daughter who passed away at age 31/2, the couple are the organizers for a sports-memorabilia auction that will raise money for leukemia research at UNMC and other charitable causes.
“It’s something that we enjoy doing, and the money that is raised is going to some excellent causes,” Dan Yetts said. “We hope to make it an annual event.”
In memory of Marissa
The Second Annual Marissa Ranee Yetts Foundation Auction will take place on Friday, May 2, at the Millard Social Hall, 10508 S. 144th St. (just south of Interstate 80 at the Highway 50 exit).
About 75 items will be awarded to the highest bidder at a live auction, another 75 will be bid upon silently, and 50 to 60 items will be available in a raffle drawing. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the auction will begin at 7 p.m.
Autographed memorabilia
Included in the auction are autographed items from such stars as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, Byron Nelson, Jim Kelly, Magic Johnson, Lawrence Taylor, Bob Griese, Joe Montana, Ken Griffey Jr. and Nicklas Lindstrom. A full list of items can be found at www.zcraft.com/marissa.
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The list of items grew as the Yettses received responses to the hundreds of letters that they sent to famous athletes and other stars, and with the trips that they made to Chicago sports shows and to sporting events. They even have a tire that Earnhardt Jr. signed after he won a race at Talladega. Shipping the tire back to Nebraska cost $50.
“It definitely will bring in more than that, so we’ll make money on it,” Dan Yetts said.
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Rhona and Daniel Yetts with their 3-year-old twins, Ranee and Ryan. |
Yetts said it was a counselor who, a few months after Marissa’s death, suggested he focus his energy on something positive.
Their daughter had been diagnosed with leukemia on Christmas Day, 2000.
Rhona Yetts said that Marissa had a couple of purplish red spots on her neck the week before Christmas, but “we thought her necklace had brushed against her neck, and she had no fever.”
After Marissa didn’t feel up to opening her Christmas presents, her parents took her to the Children’s Hospital emergency room. Marissa passed away the next day from complications from sepsis, a disorder that turns blood toxic.
Helping others
Three months later, Daniel and Rhona Yetts were on the Internet, downloading addresses of sports stars and others. Assisted by friends and motivated by doubters who said they couldn’t make a go of it, they mailed 1,000 letters and began attending events, asking for autographed materials to sell at their auction.
They’ve encountered both success and failure. They choose to focus on the stories of stars who are affable: Sandy Koufax signing a ball at the Bob Gibson Classic; Ray Borque signing a jersey; Joe Gibbs giving them a $300 check and taking time to chat; and Heisman winners signing a helmet.
“I think the most fun I’ve had is when I’m getting an autograph, and seeing how serious people get, and how you can tell they care about the story you’re telling them,” Daniel Yetts said. “That’s pretty neat.”
Hoping for even greater success
In its first year, the auction allowed the Yettses to make a $5,000 gift toward supporting leukemia research at UNMC, as well as contributions to Children’s Hospital, the Shrine Transportation Unit and Lancer Education. Daniel Yetts said he’s hoping for even better turnout and more success this year.
He said that many people help make the auction a success. He credits other volunteers and businessmen who give him price breaks on sports equipment and the printing of programs and flyers.
“Any penny saved is a penny made for the foundation, for the charities,” he said.