posted on February 27, 2002 10:03:51 PM new
You guys seem to know a lot about a lot of things. So I thought it does not hurt to ask.
This is the first year our elementary school is open. We have 526 students, 346 families. The school is going to do a silent auction for their fund raiser. They are pretty popular around here and can raise some good money.
I have the pleasure of putting this auction together. Each classroom will have a theme basket or a class project to donate to the auction. Most of the teachers will donate something like - 1 teacher will take the top 3 bidders to the Rockies game, 2 have teamed together to take the top two bidders bowling - and so on.
I am in search of a "PRICELESS" type item. Something that people will want so they will come and look at what we have to offer and look at all the items and bid. BUT I do not know where to start or how to get this type of item. What I have in mind is maybe an autographed football or jersey. Or a celebrity sign and donate something.
If any one has any idea how I should go about getting such an item please HELP me.
Any ideas at all are welcome. Someone at school suggest write to the Bronco's (since we are near Denver) but no one can tell me who to write to, where to write to etc....
posted on February 28, 2002 10:05:30 AM new
If you are looking for an autographed item you should send the request on school stationery, otherwise they will think it is a typical request from an autograph seeker for possible resale. Most sports teams can be contacted through their public relations department. Autographed photos are not hard to get but footballs, baseballs, jerseys etc. are much more difficult. Addresses for movie and TV stars are given in magazines such as Autograph Collector. Recording stars can be contacted through their record label companies. If you send out 100 such requests you should get back at least 10-20 autographed photos. Good luck!
posted on February 28, 2002 02:05:04 PM new
Having been involved with regualr brick and mortar auctions, I can tell you that the item need not be priceless -- just an incrediable deal. Few things meet that description better than art work. When selling an idea, there always has to be "the Story". It need not be a con-game; just think up one or more qualities that a person would want to own the item with and that adds tremendously to the overall value.
Personally, the idea that public schools are reduced to auctions and bake-sales to pay for the kid's education and school operating costs angers me. We Bush easily throwing $20 Billion dollars a pitch to his best friends everywhere, you'd think that just one (1) $20 Billion dollar increae in spending would go towards modernizing and budgeting schools.
posted on March 1, 2002 10:59:56 AM new
Prizes... free prizes. Always draws people. Must come to the event to be eligible for a prize?
Free stuff can be good stuff that people want:
Tickets to an upcoming event for a band/singer/theatrical. See if you can get them donated by a local business - car sales, realtors etc.
Local movie theater might donate free tickets or local t.v. station may buy them for you. Get the radio station to announce your event to draw the crowd.
Look to local business to offer a prize in exchange for the advertising.
Hallmark, Walmart, McD's, grocery stores, gas stations, car washes, furniture stores, shopping centers, dry cleaners... the more freebies you have the better.
Not priceless auction items but something to get people there and the more people that see the auction items, the more bids you will get. Isn't that how it goes?
Or call upon all of the businesses and put together a gift basket from the community. Could be worth alot.
