I like when companies take the time to mail a rejection but come on, Hersheypark -- must you send a card stock rejection note shaped like a gift certificate? Such a fake out! LOL
Very good points! Love the idea of asking people. We also put out a questionnaire afterwards to see what like about the evening what type of baskets they want to see more of. Also any likes or dislikes.
You all have the power to bring in great donations. I've just hit a all time high with donations coming into our school. I've gotten everything from restaurants to birthday packages donated. I only have two corporate sponsors and that's it. All local and state donations. No from all the big ones, disney, american girl etc. Our families are over the moon with the donations that are already in. It's all donations that all of our parents can use and they can't wait to start bidding on them.
I asked every parent in our school what they wanted in a silent auction and I made it happen. Yes, I asked every parent. I stood in line at carpool line and asked each of them or sent out emails. I've also done alot of focus groups to see who I should contact at these companies. I was able to get my foot in the door with a name and a referral. If you can send a letter you can make a phone call or make an appointment with a manager. I've been given more because I made eye contact and shook a person's hand. Keep that in mind when your looking for donations at your local level.
One of our biggest ticket items, that costs us not a dime is...... Front row seats and a parking space for High school as well as Middle school graduation!!! We pair it with a school sweatshirt but really don't even have to do that! It sells itself. We had a fancy certificate made and the PTO president took care to cone off a parking space with the winners name on it. We did this for the seats as well. 4 seats each. two baskets that cost nothing but are worth their weight in gold, if you have ever been to a graduation!!
One of our biggest ticket items, that costs us not a dime is...... Front row seats and a parking space for High school as well as Middle school graduation!!! We pair it with a school sweatshirt but really don't even have to do that! It sells itself. We had a fancy certificate made and the PTO president took care to cone off a parking space with the winners name on it. We did this for the seats as well. 4 seats each. two baskets that cost nothing but are worth their weight in gold, if you have ever been to a graduation!!
