Here are some of the yes' that we got from national companies:

Bodum - sent french press
contacted them online & got a reply within a week

Build-A-Bear Workship - got a $10 gift card
contacted them online & got a reply within 2 weeks

I Can Do That! Games - sent 20 board games703
contacted them online & got a reply within a few days

Imagination Movers - sent a few CDs, a DVD and stickers
sent typed letter & got a reply within a couple of weeks

Laurie Berkner Band - sent autographed CDs & DVDs
sent typed letter & got a reply within a couple of weeks

James Carville - sent 2 autographed books
sent typed letter & got a reply within a month

Mentor Interactive - sent a Nintendo DS game
contacted online & got a reply within a few days

ResortQuest - got 2 night condo vacation
sent letter & got a reply within a few weeks

Don't know if you have Groupon in your area but sign up for it and call any retailer that is or has been the Groupon deal of the day. These are folks who are looking for a new audience and yours might as well be it. And that's what they get out of donating. Go to all the corporate-like sites and sign up for their donation program. You can do this for a few days. Always hit all the kids spot like karate, gymnastic, dance, swim classes, pottery classes. Look online for services people need. I also went to pubs and put together pub crawls to interest the guys. See who is spending money advertising in local rags and call them. You have an audience to offer so talk up the benefits of your auction and how it will get them noticed.

Roseann, you are cutting yourself a little close, a lot of companies need 6 -8 weeks to process. I sent to everyone that was listed in this blog, write to all the local stores in your area, if its a school you are trying to do this for ask the parents for donations. Search the internet, most companies have a community page where they list where to contact. I am in northern NJ on border of NY, my friends and I go to tricky trays so I save all the programs and write to the companies on their list. Try the local gym, healthclub, bowling alley, restaurants,
Carvel on their website they sent me a certificate for an ice cream cake, all the chains, TGIF, Pizza Hut, Cracker barrel, any local theatre groups, Papermill Playhouse, etc. they will send tickets. I wrote to the Botanical Gardens in the city, museums, etc. anything thats within reasonable distance. A lot of times you have to write to corporate office, use these names and write to corporate offices,
are you in Northern Bergen County thats where I am it is hard but it works. Carolyn

I too am in NJ, the sports teams take a while, Jets Giants and Devils are usually good have had no luck with Rangers, Knicks, etc. It takes time for the replies, I sent to all the local restaurants Chef Central always gives $15 gift card, Cheeseburgers in Paradise, Fall View Grills, try the diners, it has taken me hours but I wrote over 600 letters for donations. Where and when is your affair, mine is in July. Hope this helps. Carolyn

I wrote to local Dave & Busters they sent $25.00 gift certificate.

Lorna who is Carol Anderson how do you get a signed poster. This site has been very helpful, I have received Dave & Busters, Cheeseburger in paradise gift certificate, I solicited Chef Central and received a gift card, local bowling alleys sent game certificates, Maggione's Little Italy sent $50.00 certificate, Prime 15 Steakhouse sent $50.00 certificate, Sheraton in Mahwah send overnight stay with breakfast for 2, NY Jets sent a poster, and everyday I have been receiving something. If you send to John Travolta he willl send an autograph picture just search his website.