Going once … Going twice … Going to a good cause.
When Frank Panariello realized his love of sports memorabilia could turn into a great way of helping people in need, it became a slam dunk.
The Lansdale native who moved to South Philly about a decade ago built a nonprofit called Memorabilia That Provides. It auctions off signed merchandise and donates the proceeds to local fundraisers, giving event organizers a stress-free way of raising extra cash for the cause.
The best part is Panariello simply loves being a part of the effort.
“It was the love of the sport that got me started,” said Panariello, who moved near the stadiums of South Philly in 2016. “I always loved sports and celebrities and musicians and all that stuff. And to tell you the truth, I just like helping people. It gives you that good feeling so it was a perfect mix.”
Panariello owns a small contracting and property services company but has veered his attention to Memorabilia That Provides over the last six years. His organization sets up at charity events, showcases an impressive spread of autographed pictures and other goods, and holds silent auctions for those items. The opening bid is the amount Panariello recoups to pay for signings, framing or presentation and the rest goes to the cause. The more guests bid on the objects, the more money goes to the recipient of the fundraiser. There’s no fee for Panariello to come to the event.
“The person would contact us and we try to relieve the stress and reach out to people to try to get silent auction memorabilia for their event,” Panariello said. “We would come to the event and professionally set up and we bring our own stuff. At the end of the event, we check for whatever the profitable proceeds are and we give that to the fundraiser or charity of choice.”
It’s really that simple.
It takes the legwork out of contacting organizations and hoping that requests for donations get filled. Event organizers can turn their attention to the other aspects of the fundraiser like food and entertainment while Memorabilia That Provides takes care of the auction.
“I totally understand how people get stresses just creating the event, let alone reaching out to hundreds of people trying to beg for something for free,” he said. “It’s difficult. If you have an event, we take it from there and try to make it more profitable for you.”
Memorabilia That Provides uses its nonprofit status and great relationships with local athletes and celebrities to provide desirable items. At a recent event, there are beautifully framed autographed prints of Eagles running back Saquan Barkley and 76ers star Joel Embiid as well as souvenirs and memories from the Phillies 2008 World Series and the Eagles Super Bowl wins. There were signed helmets, jerseys and pucks from the Flyers and plenty of other must-have 100-percent authentic man cave possibilities.
Photo/Mark Zimmaro
“We have some contacts and agents and certain numbers that we have availability to and we have connected in the past,” Panariello said. “For instance, if we’re at a Flyers event, and got to speak to a certain player, you build a relationship. Over the years, just being at a lot of events, and being able to meet people. But we do some private signings with other companies that have a brick and mortar location. They bring someone in and we join them.”
Panariello has bumped into a few major stars over the years including Post Malone, Adam Sandler and Sidney Crosby.
“My payment is like I actually get to meet the player or celebrity,” Panariello said. “That’s cool within itself. And then it became more than that by helping fundraisers and charities. I’m very fortunate. At a lot of these events, you meet good people that have a good cause or a good mission.”
Memorabilia That Provides is hoping to take on a large number of fundraising events in the near future as the nonprofit expands, whether it’s a large charity event or a small beef and beer fundraiser. The nonprofit can be reached at www.memorabiliathatprovides.com, 304-384-1479 or by emailing [email protected].
Until then, Panariello will be out gathering more great gear and memorabilia to help out the next great cause. He’ll take one for the team by doing the heavy lifting.
“I still enjoy sports so much and the love of the game that when I see these guys or meet them, I get that feeling that my job isn’t really a job,” he said. “If you can chase your dream while helping others, there’s nothing better than that.”