WHAT IS A SILENT AUCTION?

A silent auction is an event where popular items are displayed, and supporters make mobile bids on their phones through the auction website.

WHAT IS A LIVE AUCTION?

A live auction is an event where 5 -10 AMAZING items are auctioned off by a live auctioneer and party attendees bid against one another.

WHAT IS THE FUND-A-NEED?

Fund-a-Need is an amazing opportunity for our community to dedicate donations for a specific area of need. Fund-a-Need takes place at the end of our Live Auction, and everyone will have a chance to donate at their chosen giving level. This year, funds will go towards new interactive monitors for the classrooms to boost collaboration and programmatic continuity.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT I HELP GET AUCTION ITEMS?

Our success depends on the quantity and quality of our items! As such, we all need to help.

HOW DO I PROCURE ITEMS?

• Start with Friends and Family

  As you begin your search for silent auction items, start with the people you know best—your friends and family. When you tap into your network (and ask your friends to do the same) you are involving people who already care and are more likely to provide items (for little in return).

• Post to Social Media Accounts

  As part of your outreach to friends and family, don’t be afraid to post on your personal social media accounts.

• Ask businesses that you frequent if they would consider donating an item or gift certificate. Businesses are happy to donate. Since it is a great marketing opportunity for them, it’s a win-win!

WHAT SHOULD THE ITEMS BE WORTH?

We appreciate all donations and are particularly eager to include items valued at $50 or more.

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AUCTION ITEMS?

SOME INSPIRATION FOR YOU:

• Travel – All-Inclusive Trips, Vacation Homes, Weekend Getaways, Airline Tickets or Miles, Hotel Stays
• Outings & Experiences – Live Tapings, Backstage Passes, Private Club Access (Magic Castle, Soho House, etc.) Spa Days, Theme Park Tickets, Cruises
• Sports Tickets & Activities – Game Tickets, Box Seats, Golf Outings, Ski Passes, Yoga or Spin Classes, Outdoor Activities (Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, etc)
• Music – Concert and Festival Tickets, Backstage Passes or a Chance to Meet the Artist, Music Lessons, Signed Instruments or Albums from Famous Musicians
• Food – Restaurant Gift Certificates, Dinner and Wine Pairings, Cooking Classes, Chef’s Table Experiences
• Specialty Items – Designer Handbags, Jewelry, New Technology (Computers, Speakers, VR, Drones, etc.) Home Gadgets

WHAT IS THE “CLASS THEME FOR BASKETS?”

Join the other parents in your class by donating something that fits your Class Theme. We will assemble them into amazing baskets to auction off. You can choose to purchase an item of any value for your Class Theme or have that item donated by your favorite business or maybe your place of work.

WHAT IS MY CLASS THEME?

• Kinder – Staycation (spa, local hotel, manicures, yoga, exercise class passes, massages, movie passes, local excursions)
• 1st – Date Night (bike rentals, movies, wine, restaurant gift certificates, wine tasting, axe throwing, uber/lyft, bowling, flower delivery gift cards)
• 2nd – All About the Kids (toys, games, kid destination tickets/passes, kid-friendly restaurants/treat gift cards, video game gift cards, summer camps, etc.)
• 3rd – Gift Cards (any and all)
• 4th – Epicurean Delight (small kitchen appliances, kitchen gadgets and tools, cook books, Williams Sonoma/Sur La Table gift cards, cooking classes, pots/pans/serving dishes, oils/spices, etc.)
• 5th – Build-a-Bar (alcohol: vodka, tequila, rum, gin, whiskey, scotch, olives, onions, bloody mary mix, mixers, shakers, stirrers, glasses, cocktail recipe books, napkins, bitters, etc.)
• 6th – Meats, Treats, Stadium Seats (sports tickets, beef jerky, nuts/snacks, poker chips, whiskey, car accessories, car wash gift certificates, darts, adventure passes, golf items, Nike gift cards, etc.)
• 7th and 8th – Build a Wine Cellar RAFFLE (bottles of wine: red, white, rosé, bubbly priced at $25 and above. Families can go in together on more expensive wines.)

ONCE I HAVE ITEMS TO DONATE WHO DO I GIVE THEM TO?

Please deliver all donation items to the Development Office. Sharon, Dyllan or Lindsey will know exactly what to do with them.

IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WHO DO WE CONTACT?

Email gala@wesleyschool.org and one of our chairs or someone from the development office will get back to you promptly.

THANK YOU!