American Girl has always asked that question. Their dolls are hard to get and they want to make sure that girls under 12 get them. You can have the donations sent to your house. Most certificates or tickets have deadlines on them. If you send for donations 6-8 weeks ahead you'll be fine with deadlines.
Newbie Auction Chair
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11 years 6 months ago#163671by Newbie Auction Chair
Hi- I am a newly assigned auction co-chair for our public elementary school's silent auction next year. I have read through most of the pages on this board and thank you for the great ideas to get me started.
1- American Girl: I went to complete my first form tonight and did want to ask about American Girl. There is a box that you have to fill out that says why your event will benefit ages birth-12. It seems that most everyone has had the doll approved. Is this a new question/requirement on the form?
2: Shipping: I am also curious if you use your school and home address. It would be much easier to manage the process if I could have items sent to my home but not sure if companies will allow this. So, how did you manage the shipping process? Which companies allow items to be sent to home and which don't?
3. Expiration Dates: Do most gift cards and items have an expiration? Our event is not until early 2014. I would love to get some items in our hands now, but don't want them to expire before the event. Any ideas on this?
So sorry to hear that your event didn't go well, but VERY impressed that you intend to push forward and try again next year!
Wanted to pass along a few articles that have a tons of tips for putting together an auction and general communications. Hope these are helpful to your new team!
Good luck everyone!!! Our event this year was a FLOP!! no not excited to share this information but want to encourage everyone to keep trying and do the best you can!! We had internal struggles this year and am excited to say we will have a brand new group next year so Please please please keep up the sharing of your ideas here!! They are awesome and I look forward to borrowing and sharing again next year.. I can say I had some success with many of the items here and received many donations!! It is just no auction or event can succeed if no one knows there is one going on!!
We receive our trips from a variety of sources. We have received trips from parents, acquaintances, and alumni who have vacation homes/time shares/sky miles, and some really unique offerings from our vendors. Since our school has a contract with Nike and Konica Minolta, we are able to receive a party at their suite at the Staples Center/Home Depot Center. We are also able to receive a Hawaii trip through the William H. Hannon Foundation. A proposal for the grant must be submitted and approved for the Hawaii trip. Occassionally you can receive a trip from various travel agencies, so pursue every contact that you have.
no not excited to share this information but want to encourage everyone to keep trying and do the best you can!! We had internal struggles this year and am excited to say we will have a brand new group next year so Please please please keep up the sharing of your ideas here!! They are awesome and I look forward to borrowing and sharing again next year.. I can say I had some success with many of the items here and received many donations!! It is just no auction or event can succeed if no one knows there is one going on!! 
