We are finalizing our catalog for a March 10 Gala and Silent Auction.
We get most of our items from local restaurants, museums, theaters, kid oriented places (gymnastics, soccer, art classess etc).
From this site we got yesses this year from:
Panera Bread
Green Mountain
Boden
Disney
Oriental Trading
STOMP
NY Skyride
Top of the Rock
Total Wine
This recommendation may have come from this site or another (sorry I can't remember) to google "donation request" in your city. Places that come up are frequent givers, many have forms to submit.
Otherwise, we also send a lot of email requests by using "contact us" on many business websites. Just received a box of games from "Think Fun" by doing this.
Thanks for all suggestions I got from this site. Til next year
We have written quite a few businesses and have gotten very little reply.
What I will say is that a lot of the money we made last year with the auction were "experiences"....principal for the day, "break the dress code" day, secretary for the day, School cafeteria chef for the day, art teacher for the day, story time and pizza in the library party, a sleep-over for 20 girls, milk and cookies and bedtime story with teacher, spanish fiesta with spanish teacher, gym teacher for the day, picnic on the playground for 10, movie and dinner with your teacher, ice cream with teacher.... These are the auction items that could make lots of money...... and they are very inexpensive or free..... just a thought for those of you looking for items and if the teachers are willing to do it (which, we had a contest for the teachers to give them more incentive to participate)
We have written quite a few businesses and have gotten very little reply.
What I will say is that a lot of the money we made last year with the auction were "experiences"....principal for the day, "break the dress code" day, secretary for the day, School cafeteria chef for the day, art teacher for the day, story time and pizza in the library party, a sleep-over for 20 girls, milk and cookies and bedtime story with teacher, spanish fiesta with spanish teacher, gym teacher for the day, picnic on the playground for 10, movie and dinner with your teacher, ice cream with teacher.... These are the auction items that could make lots of money...... and they are very inexpensive or free..... just a thought for those of you looking for items and if the teachers are willing to do it (which, we had a contest for the teachers to give them more incentive to participate)
So this site has just been amazing, I have gotten some amazing tips from all of the posts, including the previous 400+ pages. This morning just recieved conformation of Disney (4 park hoppers), Grammy Museum (4 tickets), Santa Monica Pier (4 tickets) and Blue Rhino. Our event is April 12.
When I applied to Chipotle and Limited Brands (Victora Secret + Bath & Body Works) I was declined, but then contactd the next day by the Limited Brands Rep and was told to try the local store. Huge Score. Chipotle- Huge stack of free entree cards + Liited Brands, items for a gift basket. Good luck all.