Apple CEO Tim Cook Auctions Charity Lunch at Apple Park

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Tim Cook is partnering up with Charitybuzz for the fifth year in a row, offering Apple fans the chance to bid on a lunch with Cook where they can hold a discussion with the CEO in a private environment. Additionally, this year the meet-up will be hosted at Apple's brand new Apple Park campus.

Like previous years, the winning bidder will be able to bring along one other person, and the lunch is said to last for around an hour. The cost of the Apple Park meal is included in the winning bid, but travel and accommodations are not. The bidding ends on May 16 at 3PM EDT and as of writing one bid of $10,000 has been entered, with the auction listing an estimated value of $100,000.

Over the past four years, Tim Cook and Charitybuzz have raised $610,000 (2013), $330,001 (2014), $200,000 (2015), and $515,000 (2016). This year will mark the first year that the winning bidder attends the lunch at Apple Park, which a small number of employees are believed to have moved into in April while construction remains ongoing.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, which aims to achieve a just and peaceful world by advancing corporate responsibility, teaching social justice, and partnering with human rights leaders. Cook joined the RFK Center's board of directors last year after being a longtime supporter and proponent of the charity.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Auctions Charity Lunch at Apple Park

 

[Bigsk8r]

Some will knock this over the cost, but I think it's a good thing.

 

[akfgpuppet]

I would bid a low number, just because I know someone is going to out bid me.

 

[barkomatic]

All the questions I'd ask him he couldn't answer so we'd talk about the weather I guess. Still, good that it's benefiting a nice charity.

 

[AngerDanger]

If they ever make a Tim Cook biopic, I hope they get Neil Cicierega to play the lead role.

 

[Doctor Q]

For more about Tim Cook's charity efforts, see Apple Support for Charity in the MacRumors Help Center.

 

[otternonsense]

It's not like Apple could afford charitable donations with its mythical cash reserves. </irony>

 

[HarryKeogh]

Seems crazy but with an ounce of effort one quickly sees how if you're going to give a big chunk of money away to charity anyway, send it this way and get a free sandwich. Oh, and hang out with Tim Cook.

 

[longofest]

ZOOM! Up it goes to $65K, with OWCLarry in the lead.

Larry - I know you hang out here... if you win, take me with you ???

 

[Bacillus]

All the questions I'd ask him he couldn't answer so we'd talk about the weather I guess. Still, good that it's benefiting a nice charity.

Ask him, why his company spends the lowest rate on charity, %-wise.
I have no time to lunch with the greatest penny-pincher in the world

BTW More sincere, and NOT always about money:
MacRumors 2017 Blood Drive

 

[Cronowerx]

If I was TIM COOK I would just out bid everyone and then have a quiet lunch

 

[44267547]

Aside from the Charity lunch with meeting Mr. Cook, I would really look forward to the Tour of Apple Park personally.

 

[ChrisCW11]

Really, while I am sure the auction will raise a lot of money, the assumption this experience is worth $100,000 just shows how completely out of touch with reality these CEO's and companies are these days.

Just put on the auction, but get rid of the arrogance of assuming some ridiculous value for this experience. Better yet, just donate 1 billion to charity considering Apple is sitting on $250 billion in cash reserves.

 

[TheTruth101]

Paying to eat with a man with no brain.

 

[melendezest]

Must be nice to have so much bloody money...

 

[B.K.]

Really, while I am sure the auction will raise a lot of money, the assumption this experience is worth $100,000 just shows how completely out of touch with reality these CEO's and companies are these days.

Just put on the auction, but get rid of the arrogance of assuming some ridiculous value for this experience. Better yet, just donate 1 billion to charity considering Apple is sitting on $250 billion in cash reserves.

"Over the past four years, Tim Cook and Charitybuzz have raised $610,000 (2013), $330,001 (2014), $200,000 (2015), and $515,000 (2016)."

Looks like it is worth plenty more than that to at least 4 people.

 

[Harthag]

If I had thousands and thousands in pocket change to donate for this I would show up to the lunch with a Razer Blade, put it in front of Tim, shake my head, and walk away. If a company like Razer can make the Blade (and sell it like hot cakes) Apple has no excuse.

 

[kaneda]

Please ask when is Apple going to make their personal computers serious business? If you win..

 

[nvmls]

K Five Guys sounds good, I'll have a bacon cheeseburger with fries, beverage water cause of my diet...

*glances watch health app*

..and you Mr. Cook?

 

[riverfreak]

If they ever make a Tim Cook biopic, I hope they get Neil Cicierega to play the lead role.

Neil Patrick Harris. Or John Stamos.

 

[guzhogi]

It's not like Apple could afford charitable donations with its mythical cash reserves. </irony>

Who says they don't? You don't have to publicize that you donated to charity.

 

[Urban Joe]

How many beans are in a bowl of Wendy's chili? I can tell you TC would in no way, shape or form waste this ridiculous amount of money to have lunch with a bean counter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2017/02/15/tim-cooks-ballmer-ization-of-apple/#22f642c85818

 

[Urban Joe]

Aside from the Charity lunch with meeting Mr. Cook, I would really look forward to the Tour of Apple Park personally.

Well, that would be interesting as that's been the primary focus of their attention/innovation for the last several years.

 

[dannyyankou]

It's nice that this is for charity, but I think Tim should match the highest bidder and donate that also.

 

[busyscott]

Me: "...what do you have for $10?"
Auctioneer: "I have these two lovely $5 bills."
Me: "...I will give you one dollar for them."