That BIT auction story is several years old, but as I recall some of the biggest $$ items were the personalized, homemade projects from classrooms. I remember one parent had helped a class handpaint a very nice wooden desk, and all the children had handprints on the desk -- a real keepsake. Went for more than $400, I believe, and there were several more in that ballpark.
There were round-trip flights, weekends at someone's ski condo and lots, lots more.
BIT auction was for three schools combined, probably total of 1200 kids or so. The night I went several years ago, there were a couple of hundred attendees throughout the evening.
to dedicated pta mom
where did you get your email list and do you pass it out, if so, i would like it and how much did your auction make an how many items did you have in it? also, a good form for bidding would be helpful and end of evening accounting. thanks
We do the silent auction baskets every year and they are very popular. Last year the Chairperson got very creative with the actual containers. Many were still the traditional wicker "baskets", but she added some that were unique. Car cleaning accessories in a big bucket, cookout supplies in cooler, I think she used laundry baskets, storage containers, cute (new) trash baskets, etc. It added even more color and pizzaz to the display.
Just got done with elementary auction now for the district foundation. Here are some ideas for things to auction--please keep this post going for more ideas please!!! The above post is right--the locals are the key. AND your families. We have simpler things at our elemen. auction, while at the district level we can auction $200+ baskets.
Simple things like: a day fishing with Billy and his Dad. Dad will filet and cook your catch for you. Of course Billy's friends parents may bid $10--probably $25 if
liquor is served!!! It helps if Billy's Dad is there getting you to bid! Teacher items like a trip to the museum with Mrs. Jones can bring in the same! How about Principal for a day, or lunch with the mayor, or a lunch prepared by Mrs. Smith for a group of 8. Or a dessert a month donated by 12 teachers. These are fun. We also put together baskets from each class. The PTO sends a notice home about the auction and each class is assigned a topic. LIke a gardening basket, a family tv night, nature,
fishing, a summer fun, etc. Parents pick up
a little trinket or gift(prepare parents around the holidays so they can buy on sale!)
and send it in to school. There's a big basket making day at someone's house and it's done! The summer fun may be, swim goggles, a ticket for 4 to Six Flags, a picture book, and a beach towel. Our higher
priced auction is only in its second year but here are some ideas: Obviously the condos and vacations are a given, but how about getting someone to donate 3 care packages sent to your college student? ANYONE can do it!!!!! Be CREATIVE!! Does someone play an instrument--a parent could donate 1 hour piano playing at your next party. Fun for the piano player too! The drama club could give front row seats. How
about the h.s. art music or drama students?
Their talents are incredible!! The h.s. kids
are hard to pin down for dates and times though.....good luck to all and post with more ideas!
I headed up our auction December 1st of 2000. We started procuring in March and had approximately 400 items! We saved the local procurement for closer to the auction date and did as much as possible in person.
We sent out a LOT of requests...I found the best method was via the computer. I sent e-mails to as many companies as I could. This had some major advantages...
1)saved the cost of postage therefore insuring that more of the money raised went directly into the programs for the kids!
2) I had a copy of the letter in my computer (easy to personalize and send to each company and saved paper and ink not having to print out a 'hard copy' for my records)
3)I got several replies right away (...I always sent a follow up 'thank you' as well for the courtesy of hearing from them--even if it was a 'no')
If I couldn't e-mail them, fax was my next favorite option since I could send it from my computer, again saving postage.
