Storage Outlet, a Southern California-based self-storage operator, has teamed with Charity Storage to raise money for local and national charities during a series of auctions, Dec. 11-14, at five of the companys facilities. The storage auctions will be held at locations in Escondido, Fullerton, Gardena, Huntington Beach and Whittier.

Charity Storage is a nonprofit group trying to establish a national network of participating storage facilities that serve as collection points for goods donated by tenants as well as the general public. Donated goods are stored and later sold during the facilities public auctions.

Self-storage operators that join the Charity Storage network can encourage departing tenants, current tenants, auction buyers, local residents and businesses to donate items to a designated unit at their facilities. Donors receive a tax-deductible receipt. When the storage facility holds a public auction, the Charity Storage unit is sold along with the other units, and any revenue earned from the sale of that unit is donated.

Net proceeds from the sale of each designated unit at a Charity Storage auction are split three ways. The national Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship program receives 10 percent, and Kure It Cancer Research, a nonprofit dedicated to funding kidney and other cancer research, receives 30 percent. Each participating self-storage company chooses a local or national charity to receive the remaining 60 percent.

The storage industry is filled with so many good people looking for more ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the world around them, said Lance Watkins, Storage Outlet CEO. Charity Storage takes something storage companies are already doing and simply adds a charitable angle to it. Working with them is an easy, common sense way for our team to have an impact throughout the community and across the country."

Watkins is also CEO of StorageTreasures.com, a website designed for self-storage auction hunters, as well as a co-founder of Charity Storage. His partner in Charity Storage is Barry Hoeven, who founded Westport Properties Inc., a California-based real estate developer and self-storage operator.

With several locations throughout Southern California, Storage Outlet offers both residential and business storage options.

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