What
is the Auction?
The Auction Gala is a major fundraiser undertaken by the parent
community in support of the school. The event is held on campus and
consists of a Silent Auction followed by an elegant seated dinner
and exciting Live Auction. Every other year the Auction Committee
chooses a new theme for the evening's festivities. The theme for
Auction 2007 is Carol of the Belles.
What are the goals for
the Auction?
There are two primary goals of the Auction Gala:
1. This is an opportunity to raise money. The funds raised are
dedicated to financial aid and programs that benefit students at Stone
Ridge.
2. The Auction is also an opportunity for all parents, alumni, faculty,
staff, and students
to build community and celebrate our common interest in the education
of our children.
Who coordinates
and organizes the Auction?
The auction is an event organized by the parent community. A chair
Kathryn Chmura is working with the executive committee made up of
parent volunteers. While the executive committee does much of the basic
planning, it is the work of numerous individual parents and community
members that is essential in making this massive undertaking a success.
How much will the tickets
cost?
The price for a dinner ticket to the Auction is $150.
How can I get
an auction catalog or tickets?
Auction catalogs which highlight all items in the auction and our donor
businesses will be made available in late October.
Auction invitations and ticket request forms will be mailed to the parents
and friends of Stone Ridge several weeks before the auction. Any other
members of the community who would like to receive an invitation should
call the Volunteer House at 301.657.4322, ext. 383.
What if I want to bid on an item, but I cannot make it to the auction?
If you'd like to bid, but can't attend the auction, you can submit an
absentee bid.
Print out
the Absentee Bid Form
and either FAX it back or return it directly to Stone Ridge
no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November
2.
How can I help, make a donation, or purchase advertising in the Auction
catalog?
All contributions are most welcome! If you would like to make a donation
to the Auction,
click
here and print out the donation form. After completing the
form, FAX it to school or drop it off with Pat Cleary, the receptionist. You can also
call 301.657.4322, ext. 360 and leave a message.
If you'd like to place an ad in our Auction catalog,
click
here to see the advertisement agreement form. Just
print it, complete it, and mail or FAX it back to us at 301.657.4536.
In addition to donating items or purchasing ad space, you can help make
the Auction a success by donating your valuable time. We need a representative
from almost every family in our community to help in some way. We have
jobs large and small. If you'd like to find out how you can help, or if
you have something in mind, please call 301.657.4322, ext. 360.
What shall
I donate to the Stone Ridge Auction?
Need some suggestions? Round up some friends and put a donation together.
That's what building community is all about! Remember, even the smallest
donations can be put together to make a very special package.
Are you musical or theatrical? Organize a children's party. Entertain
at a house party. Compile a collection of your favorite music. Give music
lessons for an adult or child. Donate concert tickets or theatre tickets.
Can you cook? Provide a dessert or bread of the month. Compile a collection
of your favorite cookbooks or cookware. Make a gingerbread house. Cater
a meal or holiday dinner. Provide cooking lessons for children.
Are you a gourmet? Offer dinners at your favorite restaurant. Open your
home for a catered dinner or wine tasting. Provide a wine or coffee of
the month. Donate a subscription to a gourmet magazine.
Are you handy? Donate handyman hours. Build or donate a dollhouse, birdhouse,
playhouse, or swing set.
Are you artistic? Donate one of your pieces. Donate a custom wall mural.
Take a small group on a tour of your favorite museum. Hand paint cloth
or furniture. Provide art lessons for children. Faux paint a room. Donate
a drawing of the buyer's home or family member.
Do you sew or knit? Knit a scarf. Make dress-up costumes. Stitch a quilt. Sew
a doll or doll
clothes. Design window treatments.
Do you or a grandparent have a vacation house, in-town apartment, or
boat? Consider off-season use of your house or a day of fishing.
Are you into sports? Provide tickets to a sporting event. Offer lessons
for children or adults. Donate a day of golf. Provide sports collectibles,
athletic or exercise equipment.
Are you a friend of someone famous? Are you famous?! Arrange lunch with
a celebrity. Serve as a guest speaker at a house party. Coordinate a tour
of a TV station. Donate autobiographical books, signed speeches, or scripts.
Are you an adventurous parent or high schooler? Offer babysitting services.
Take a few children on a camping trip. have a pool party at your house.
Offer a cookie baking party or a gingerbread house making party. Take
several children on an outing.
Do you have a green thumb? Provide flowers of the month. Offer gardening,
landscaping, or lawn moving services. Donate plants.
Are you from another country? Prepare a feast of foods from your country.
Donate a collectible doll from your country. Offer lessons for children
or adults in your native tongue. Arrange a luncheon at your embassy.
Do you possess great wisdom or expertise? Offer consulting services:
accounting and tax services, architectural design, computer assistance,
financial planning, interior decorating, legal advice, nutritional counseling,
orthodontic care, personal training, wardrobe consultation (personal shopper)...
How does an auction work?
When you arrive at the auction, you will receive a bid number. There
are two different "types" of auctions going on that night: the
silent auction and the live auction. For both, you will use your assigned
bid number.
During the silent auction, bidders stroll around examining items on display
and making their bids. Each item has a bid sheet attached or near it.
The bidder prints her or his bid number next to the pre-printed amount
of the bid on the bid sheet. Checking the "Guaranteed Purchase"
spot on the bid sheet takes the item out of the bidding and it becomes
yours. As the evening proceeds, different categories of the silent auction
will be closed. An announcement is made before each closing. You can check
any time you wish during the proceedings to see whether your bid is highest.
Some of the auction items are up for bid during the live auction portion
of the evening. Things can become lively during these proceedings! The
highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the purchaser. In
the event of a dispute, the auctioneer shall determine the successful
bidder. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid that, in his
opinion, is not commensurate with the value of the item being offered.
A few general reminders:
- All sales are final. No
exchanges or refunds on auction items. Everything is sold "as is."
- Unless otherwise specified,
all auction items and services must be used within one year after
November 3, 2007. Unless specified, dates and times are to be arranged
at the mutual convenience of the donor and the buyer.
- All resort and private vacation
homes are offered to adults and minors accompanied by adults.
- All auction items must be
paid in full, by cash, check, or Visa/MasterCard, and removed from the
school campus by noon, Sunday, November 4, 2007.
- Cashiers will open for close-out
immediately after the live auction.
- The State of Maryland requires
non-profit organizations to charge 5% sales tax on all items tangible sold.
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