The first year of the North Texas Rehabilitation Center's annual auction was in 1969. It was called The Crippled Children's Auction until 1992, when it was renamed The Rehab Auction. The former name had helped create an image of the Center serving children only, and the name also carried a negative impact in the perception of people with disabilities.
The original auction consisted of cattle auctions only. In 1971, merchandise was added, with the merchandise auctioned at Doc and Neal Collier's livestock Auction facility. In 1979, merchandise was moved to the Wichita Falls Activities Center where an all day Silent Auction and an evening Verbal Auction began.
Area sale barns have participated since inception, but in 1992 a new effort was implemented to generate greater participation. The posters were designed to list all participating sale barns. Area media were contacted and feature articles and ads, along with personal visits to the different sale barns helped to increase interest and support.
Also in 1992, the first TV Auction was broadcast live over KFDX TV-3. This year the TV Auction proceeds exceeded $19,000.
In 1996, the silent and verbal auctions moved into the "new" Multi-purpose Events Center. The Rehab Auction netted $18,687 in 1969, its first year. It has enjoyed a steady healthy increase and has become the largest fundraiser promoted by the Center's marketing and development department. In the spring of 2006, the Rehab Auction raised $226,000 for sponsored services.
A committee composed of approximately sixty volunteers holds four luncheon meetings prior to the auction. These meetings serve as a planning, reporting and motivating force for this successful event. While new members have been added to the committee, there remains a core group of volunteers who have served from the beginning. The initial auction chairman was Carter McGregor. Joe Parker served as chairman from 1971 until his death in 1998. Wilson Scaling then assumed the duties of "trailboss."
The Rehab Auction, over its 38 year history, has netted over $5.8 million for the growth and maintenance of medical and educational rehabilitation services provided to children and adults with disabilities at the North Texas Rehabilitation Center.