A Lesson in Auction Fundraising!

I recently attended an auction to benefit Lowell Elementary School in Tacoma that was held and the Tacoma Yacht Club. I attended the auction as an alumna (Go Class of '81!) and because I have dear friends whose children attend the school and love it just as I did. Now look at the picture above--that's little ol' me perusing the many items in the silent auction and working the crowd (and raising my wine glass in celebration). What a wonderful time we had! Terrific items, great food and drink, visits with friends, making new friends, and fun in a festive atmosphere. Great, right?

Here's what better. I've attended many local charity events over the years and this one in particular really gives a blueprint of how to run a successful auction. Let me break it down (the points below are in no particular order).

1. Enthusiasm, hands down. My friend Rachael and her auction team really sold the fun and excitement of this event through word of mouth and written advertising. Upon attending the auction, I watched as EACH auction chairperson happily introduced themselves to auction patrons and warmly welcomed their support with a sense of fun and purpose.

2. Energy and momentum. Again, the auction team was tireless and hardworking throughout the event, but had fun too! The auction was lively yet moved at a nice pace (not too fast, so folks would get overwhelmed, but not too slow, so folks would lose interest).

3. Venue. The Tacoma Yacht Club features panoramic views of Commencement Bay and maritime scenery. Parking was ample and employees of the club were friendly and helpful. Food and drinks were great and food service and delivery was timely and efficient.

4. TELL people to dress casually and they shall come! This auction said hey, wear your favorite jeans and add a little sparkle just for fun. Jeans? Did you hear the collective sigh of relief? The Pacific Northwest is a casual place and to honor that makes people feel comfortable.

5. Procure, procure, procure (and get stuff for everyone). The auction team had a number of items (from art to beauty treatments, to restaurant fare, to sports equipment, to trips and everything in between). There were items to fit every budget, taste, and lifestyle.

6. Give a healthy dose of the auction RECIPIENTS and keep reminding folks why they are there. The children were represented well with artwork, student pictures to mark the tables, and many terrific class projects for family and friends to bid on. Plus as an added bonus, lots of teachers, the principal and other school staff were on hand to celebrate and participate. In fact, the teachers had the rowdiest table in my opinion.

7. A great emcee and auctioneer. That adds fun, interest, and professionalism. Again, this auction hit the mark!

8. A great seating and weather plan! Silent auction items were moved outdoors on the spacious deck area but were nicely covered with an enclosed tent with a view and heat lamps. Plus, having a SECOND bar there was an added bonus! Having items out in this area, freed up space on the interior for comfortable dining and visiting.

Here are some more pics of our evening!


Here is my husband Rick bidding away!




Ah, the dessert auction! This was the most PERFECT red velvet cake I have EVER eaten!



My friend Nina and I feeling happy. Well done Lowell!

Go Old School Tacoma!

Old school to me is embodied in Tacoma's Lowell Elementary School, literally and figuratively. Lowell IS the oldest school in Tacoma, beginning its foundations in 1869 in a log cabin at North 28th and Carr Streets. Eventually, it moved up the hill to it's current location at North 13th and Yakima Streets. For me it is old school, as I am an alumna from the seventies and early eighties (and I guess that makes me old too). During my time at Lowell, I really enjoyed it. I soaked in all the activities, people, teachers, and principals. I remember performances, talent shows, school murals, carnivals, spelling bees, my favorite swing at recess (the blue one!), the big rock by the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms, and the school basement for rainy day recess time. I even loved racing across the school's cement playground in foot races with the other kids. When I left that school for Mason, Wilson, and then college, I was always proud to show off my old school. I assumed everyone would think it's as cool as I did....

My husband was born in Tacoma but grew up in Spokane. He moved back to the area in his early twenties. When we met, we did a drive around town and I showed him Lowell. He laughed! "What a weird school," he chided. "Where's the grass? It's all small and odd and cement on that playground. And what's up with this location? Kinda weird for a school."

Sigh. Don't hate on my beloved school, dude.

So, I set the record straight, and said, that the cement, the quirky location, and the like were part of the charm. Back in my day, I saw this as an urban school, minutes from downtown (perfect for a Gritty Tacoman in training!). I loved the diversity of the people, the richness of the school activities, and programs. I have friends whose children attend this school today and they love it as much as I did.

So, imagine my delight and surprise when my friend Rachael invited my alumna little ol' self to attend the Lowell Auction and Fundraiser. Great stuff to bid on, yummy food, drinks, visiting with old friends, with one killer view of the bay from the Tacoma Yacht Club. Well, this Lowell Leopard is so there! And you can be, too! Check out the details below (taken from the Lowell website). The auction is open to the public.

Go Leopards!

Spring Fling - Lowell Auction 2010

SAVE THE DATE - MAY 1, 2010!!

DINNER AND AUCTION AT THE TACOMA YACHT CLUB TO SUPPORT THE LOWELL PTA

This is the event of the year! A chance to get together with Lowell friends, staff and faculty for a grown up night out to support the school! We’ll have drinks, dinner, dessert and a fantastic auction right on the shore of beautiful Commencement Bay at the historic Tacoma Yacht Club.

DON YOUR BEST

“Blue Jeans & Bling”

AND COME ATTEND LOWELL’S SPRING FLING

Support your school!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW IN THE MAIN OFFICE

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $40

TABLES OF 8 $300 VIP TABLES OF 8 $400

TABLES OF 10 $375 VIP TABLES OF 10 $500

SPACE IS LIMITED

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

It will be a fun, sparkling evening you won’t want to miss!

Questions? Wanna donate an auction item? Need more info? Click HERE to find out (and to get a sneak peek at the items you bid on!).(To NOTE: The above link is acting funny, so if you need more details, contact me at kim.gcw.thompson@gmail.com and I'll get you on the right path).

Get Involved Puget Sounders: Here's An Event That Helps Families And Children

The fine folks our local Big Brothers Big Sisters is at it again: promoting a great event to benefit local children, families, and the community at large. Following are details about the latest and greatest fun activity and YOU can get involved! Whether it's through your business, giving your time and talents, or offering other support, the team needs you and welcomes you to join a great cause. Read on for more details. And thanks in advance Puget Sounders for lending a helping hand to families right here in our backyard.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is organizing our 2nd Annual Evento Familiar, May 16th 2010 at Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton. Evento Familiar is a fun and entertaining day where we invite all the volunteers, mentees and community members to come enjoy free entrainment for all ages.

We would like you to invite you to participate; there are different ways to get involved:

Sponsorships
Donations (food, prizes or gift certificates)
Resource Table available
Performers and entertainers
Volunteers


If you have any additional questions you may contact Veronica at veronica.abraham@bbbs.org or 206-458-0208. For sponsorship opportunities please contact Peter Retztlaff at peter.retzlaff@bbbs.org or at 206-793-9060 x 213.

Drink Beer and Help Kids and Families at Mary Bridge (Yes, Really)

Nothing says fall better than a deliciously dark and stout stein of great beer. Beer. Yum!

So, raise your glasses, get some great food, be thoroughly entertained, and bid on fabulous auction items at Oktoberfest by Chambers Creek Orthopedic Guild, Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Oktoberfest is being held at Annie Wright School in Tacoma's Old Town neighborhood on November 14th from 6 PM to 10 PM. Tickets to the event are $45.00 per person. Proceeds from this event will benefit Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center.

And they will have beer there! Beer tasting! Frothy, delicious beer.

What's better than sipping the suds, dining on fun German fare, and having a casual evening out with friends and doing good for the hospital? Not much else.

Oh, and did I mention the beer?

Intrigued? Thirsty? Get moving because tickets are limited. E-mail your reservation to this e-mail address: foxbeacher@earthlink.net to reserve your tickets.

Beauty, Bags & Bordeaux...--A Girlfriend's Gathering

Let's see: you have yummy wine, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts, pretty handbags, stylish eyewear, FREE make-up consultations, skin care tips and tricks, fashion, jewelry, and a gaggle of girlfriends.... ladies, what could be better? And along with having a blast, you can do a lot of good for our local children's hospital and health center. Well, now you have your chance to kick off spring in style and help your community. Beauty, Bags, & Bordeaux...-a girlfriends gathering takes place on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 from 6 to 9 P.M. at the new Cascade Eye and Skin Centers building located at 5225 Cirque Drive West in University Place.

This evening of fun includes a handbag silent auction, trunk show of sunglasses and top name eyewear, free make-up consultations featuring Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics, a tour of the spanking new Cascade Eye and Skin Centers facility, dermatologist led discussions to learn about the newest products and techniques for beautiful skin, fashions, and jewelry. Of course, there will be wine and goodies, too!

This unique event is hosted by the Chambers Creek Orthopedic Guild and benefits Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. The gracious sponsor for this evening is Cascade Eye and Skin Centers. So, how can you take part and help our local South Sound kiddos?

Simply purchase a ticket for $30 (hurry, after April 5th, tickets are $35) and give your RSVP. Tickets are limited and an advance purchase is required. Participants MUST over 21 years of age to participate in this event.

Contact me, your friendly U.P. Blog Squad blogger, Kim Thompson at kimricksy@comcast.net for information on how to purchase tickets.

Hope to see you there!