2019 Autumn Auction Q & A
What Is the Avalon~Brookewood Autumn Auction?
The Autumn Auction brings the Avalon and Brookewood School communities together to kick-off the holiday season prior to Thanksgiving. This affair features a cocktail (open bar) and hors d’oeuvres & dessert reception, and a silent auction including Class Baskets and Projects.
This year the festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Claridge Room at Avalon. Please be sure to join us!
What is included in the cost of the evening?
Free parking, open bar, a selection of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres & desserts, and entrance to the silent auction is included in your reservation price of only $75.00 per person and $35 per alum.
What is the dress?
The Auction is a festive affair. Business dress is appropriate for all, but many of our ladies come in dressier cocktail attire.
Do I receive a ticket when I make my reservation?
No, there is no formal “ticket.” Just respond to your evite which should arrive in your in-box the first week of October. We ask that you make your payment via the evite link, if possible. You also may pay by cash or check remitted directly to Ellen Clifford at The Avalon School. Unless otherwise indicated on the evite, credit card information will be kept until the end of the auction evening and any purchases will be charged to the card of the winning bidder automatically.
Please be sure to check in at the Autumn Auction reservation desk at the entrance to the ballroom when you arrive.
How do I receive a bid number?
When you check in at the reservation desk at the Autumn Auction you will receive a program. In the upper corner of the front cover will be your name and bid number.
Is there a minimum bid increase for the Silent Auction?
The minimum bid increase for each item is indicated at the top of the bid sheet. The rules governing the Silent Auction are in the Autumn Auction program.
How do I pay for my auction items?
You can preregister your credit card on the event website at checkout for smoother checkout. You may also pay by cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). At the end of the evening just check with the cashiers to ascertain if you are a lucky bidder. All bids are final and may not be rescinded after the end of the Auction.
We ask that our winners be sure to pay and take their auction item(s) home at the end of the evening. If necessary, arrangements may be made at the checkout table for payment the following Monday.
Is the cost of my auction purchase tax deductible?
You will receive a statement from the school for your winning bid(s), indicating the deductible amount, when applicable.
I cannot attend but would like to support the Autumn Auction. Are there ways to do so?
Yes. Please consider participating as an Auction Angel or a Special Friend. An Angel makes a monetary donation to specifically offset the cost of the Autumn Auction. A Special Friend sponsors one or more faculty members through a donation of $50.00 for each teacher or teacher spouse.
Volunteering and Miscellaneous
I would like to volunteer to help with the Autumn Auction.
It’s never too late to volunteer! We particularly need parents to seek out auction donations and to attend November 16! Questions, please contact Ellen Clifford at 301-963-8022 or eclifford@avalonschools.org, Jeanne Mendelson at jmendelson@lamaze.com (Brookewood) or avalonschoolparents@gmail.com (Avalon).
Before the Auction
How can I help during the weeks before the Auction?
Participating in a Class Basket or Project is a wonderful way to get involved! Avalon plans on four Class Baskets or Projects for this year, broken down by: Primary School (K-2), Lower School (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12).
Your Class Parent will be in touch regarding the theme and how you can help. We ask that the total value of a class basket not exceed $250.00. Among the successful baskets in the past: beer basket, wine basket, children’s book basket (by grade grouping), boys lego selection, girls lego selecton, coordinating cooking basket, camping basket, cookout basket, Playmobile figure basket, beach basket, winter weekend basket and so many more!
Also, if you have access to a vacation home, the offering of a long weekend is always wonderful to have and has proved very successful in past auctions.
I have more than one child attending Avalon. Must I participate in both baskets?
Participation in the class basket is not mandatory, although we hope all our parents will join in to the best of their ability. For those families with more than one child in the school, they need only participate in one basket.
How else could I help?
As noted above, any assistance we may have with acquiring items, gift cards, services or sporting event tickets (especially popular) is greatly appreciated! For idea, please see the attached or contact our auction chair, Maria Calvetti at avalonschoolparents@gmail.com
See you at the Auction!
Auction Acquisition Hints
1. Give Something Yourself! Get committed to the Autumn Auction and decide what your family will donate. When you ask others to donate, your prospective donor may ask what you are giving to the Auction. You will want to be prepared with an answer!
Suggestions: personal services, a gift certificate from your favorite restaurant, a cake- or cookie-of-the-month, a week or weekend at your vacation home, that wonderful (but not for you!) never used, Christmas or birthday present from your in-laws, etc.
2. Your Spouse. Your spouse will want to support your efforts! Just ask.
Suggestions: a selection of his favorite cigars, sporting event tickets, a round of golf and/or lunch at your country club, a guided fishing/hunting trip, a day sailing, boating, etc.
3. Friends. Remember the friend you helped-out at her school auction? Now is the time to ask her for a donation to the Autumn Auction!
4. Family. Grandmom or Granddad may want to donate a skilled craft project, child care for a special evening (include restrictions), a two-hour lesson in woodworking, knitting, cooking, etc. Also, be sure they come to the Autumn Auction!
5. Check Out Your Check or on-line Banking Register. You can ask for a donation from each merchant from whom you have recently made a purchase. You are an important economic factor to every business you frequent and almost all will respond to your request. So don’t be shy!
6. Those Whom You Have Supported. In this age of widespread fundraising, undoubtedly you have donated to your neighbor’s or co-worker’s auction, walk-a-thon, or Sally Foster/Fruit Cake/Christmas Greens/Mulch sale, etc.
NOW is the time to ask them to return the favor, with an auction donation.
7. Carry Acquisition Forms with You at All Times or some other organization will take advantage of the opportunity you miss!
Among Our Most Popular Auction Items
Vacation Retreats
- Beach - Mountain - City - Camping
Consultant Services
- Home Décor - Home Improvement - Computer Know-How
- Personal Training - Tax Prep - Tutoring - Etc!
Athletic
- Tickets: Redskins, Nationals, Wizards, Capitals, D.C. United, Frederick Keys, Bowie Baysox
-
Kids
- Adventure Trips - Day Trips - Boy Toys - Girl Toys
Home
- Decorating Services - Hand-made Throw - Tea/Coffee Service
- Decorating/Cook Books - Antique Anything - Pet Sitting
- Cleaning Services: House, Yard, Car, etc. - Photography Session
Food Glorious Food!
- Prepare a dinner (family or ethnic specialty) for 4-8 with wine/appropriate DVD, etc.
- Prepare a cake or other delicious something each month from 3, 6 or even 12 months!
- Cooking class
- Gourmet Assortment
- Gourmet utensils (coffee press, wine opener, etc.)
Lessons
- Crocheting, knitting, etc. - Horseback Riding - Sailing
- Athletic Coaching Sessions - Tennis - Golf - Photography
You are only limited by your imagination!
