Today I received a press release from the Fuente and Newman families trying to spread the word about their Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and the auction that is getting underway. Their goal is to raise $50,000.00 to support impoverished Dominican children.

Embedded below is a video from last years Toast Across America, which educates us on what the Fuente and Newman families have achieved for the children of the Dominican Republic and also gives us some insight on their non profit organization.

The charitable auction runs from today, August 5, 2008, which signifies the 8-5-8, until August 17, 2008. All proceeds of the auction go towards the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and will be matched by the Newman and Fuente families. For each $1.00 raised, the families will add in an additional $1.50 (up to $35,000.00).

If you get a spare minute head over to the auction area on Cigar Family and check out the rare items up for bid. Some of the most notable items include:

• 1 box of 50 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Sungrown cigars. These cigars will be hand selected by Carlos Fuente, Jr., and will be personalized, dated, and signed by both Carlos Fuente, father and son.
• 1 box of 50 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 cigars with Carlos Fuente, Sr.’s Don Carlos “my way” blend. These cigars will be blended and hand selected by Carlos Fuente, Sr., and will be personalized, dated, and signed by both Carlos Fuente, father and son.
• 2 Lower Bowl seats to the “Big Game” that will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009.
• 1 box of 25 Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 cigars from 1984 in a wrap set box.
• The very last original release box of AF 13 cigars.