INDIANAPOLIS – To support a national non-profit organization’s mission to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the world’s largest indoor tanning bed manufacturer auctioned off one of its most popular commercial-grade tanning beds earlier this month at the Indoor Tanning Association’s 2007 World Expo in Nashville, Tenn. 

ETS Tan auctioned a Sunstar 432 commercial tanning bed and an autographed Indianapolis Colts football by Peyton Manning to benefit the American SIDS Institute. The bed, which carries a retail value of $10,000, was won by Valorie Michaud, owner of A Hand for Health Tanning and Spa in Thatcher, Ariz., for $10,400. Michaud purchased the bed in memory of her sister, Charlotte Ruth, who died of SIDS before Michaud was born. 

ETS Tan also auctioned other Colts memorabilia and a gift basket to raise funds for the charity for a total of $515. Including individual financial contributions to the cause, ETS Tan raised a total of $11,120 for the American SIDS Institute. 

“We chose a charity that is close to our hearts,” said Marny Reed, director of marketing and product development at ETS Tan. Jasmyn Sierra Rose Menapace passed away in 2006 before her first birthday of SIDS; she was the daughter of Reno Menapace of Carmel, who has worked as a regional sales manager at ETS Tan for nearly a decade. 

Founded in 1983, the American SIDS Institute is a national non-profit healthcare organization dedicated to the prevention of SIDS and promotion of infant health through an aggressive and comprehensive nationwide program. For more, visit www.sids.org.  

PHOTO CAPTION

ETS Tan regional sales manager Reno Menapace (from left); ETS Tan CEO Bill Pipp; Valorie Michaud, owner of A Hand for Health Tanning and Spa in Thatcher, Ariz.; and Nikki Chinners of Sun Kissed Tanning in Miramar, Fla., display a check to the American SIDS Institute at the Indoor Tanning Association’s 2007 World Expo in Nashville, Tenn., in October. ETS Tan auctioned a Sunstar 432 commercial tanning bed at the event to benefit the American SIDS Institute. The winning bidder was Michaud, who bought the bed for $10,400 in memory of her sister, Charlotte Ruth, who died of SIDS before Michaud was born. Chinners was the winning bidder of a gift basket. ETS Tan’s auction of the tanning bed, gift basket and memorabilia plus individual financial contributions raised a total of $11,120 for the American SIDS Institute. (Photo courtesy ETS Tan)