Hi,

I have had good luck with out of state hotels if I tell them we are creating a basket and list places in the area that have donated to us. Hilton Garden Inn is usually good about donating. I have also found some random resorts that have donated but that is not always the case!

I tried Amtrak but the form said they only donate to schools k-8 We are a preschool!

Diana

last year Amtrak said my attachments were in the wrong format so I made sure it was in the one they suggested but I haven't heard back from them yet.
Ours is at the end of March and I've been sending out emails and filling out those time consuming forms and they are starting to come in finally.
I got several hotels last year by calling and asking who is in charge of the donations. I get their name, extension number and email address. I leave a message for them to look for my email then I call back within a week and ask if they have reviewed it. I tell them about having donations to their city and our winner will need more then one night so why not get them in the door with the free one instead of them going to their competitor. Worked on all 4 I tried.

Don't limit yourself to just the places on this list! You are doing yourself a HUGE disservice if your do. Just because a company does not have giving guidelines on their websites or online aplication forms does NOT mean they don't donate! I have gotten some of my best donations from just emailing general information addresses or general managers and asking if they had a program (attaching my procurement letter to it if I could) and if they would consider us. Have gotten some great hits that way!! What are your favorite products? Look around your house and google the brands! You would be surprised at what you can get......most of my donations (been doing this for 7 years!) are NOT from the big national companies with programs that everyone is applying to. Trust me - just do it! The worst that can happen is they won't respond, or will say no. And it was just an email Best of luck to all of you wonderful volunteers!!!!

For finding hotels outside your state, I've found it takes a lot of work and persistence. I've had some success with calling to get the name and email of the general manager. Then I send an email to the GM to see if they accept donation requests for auction. I explain that I'm in XX state and that we have some attractions in their area.

Some GMs will respond, some will not respond....but they are usually the decision maker or will know who is. Sometimes it falls under their sales dept. It just depends.

I had to contact 15+ hotels to get a final yes from a hotel. So it takes a lot of time.

One hotel offered to give us a 1/2 price and I was able to get a parent to purchase, because it was really reasonable.

Hi Everyone,

This list is great!! Our Nursery school has an annual auction and we have gotten great tips from this site!! Last year we raised about $12,000 and are hoping to do that again if not get more!

Katie - I looked at Sea World and the website said you need vouchers for an airline and hotel. Did you have both? We have received Disney World tickets and would love to have a Florida basket. I sent a letter to Omni Hotels. I wasn't sure if I should try Sea World and tell them we are putting a basket together?

Has anyone had any luck with Amtrak Auto Train?

Thanks!
Diana