I am setting up a fundraising auction for a friend that lost her husband in a horrible traffic accident due to black ice. They have 3 children 2 boys and 1 girl (13, 15 & 16). I am hoping someone can give me advice on how to go about getting items to be auctioned off. Or baskets of items. I have never done one of these before but have been to others. Any help is appreciated! 1|1|First, I am very sorry for your friend's loss! My thoughts and prayers go out to them!|littlewolf|CCsuterlab@aol.com|13:26:33|02/27/2013|
Posted on Feb-27-13 at 01:26 PM (Eastern) by 146.135.36.253
Second, THANK YOU for stepping up and wanting to help her! Here is the advice that I can give you:
1) Find the location that you want to hold the auction. I would check into community centers, churches and places like that. If you explain to them what you are trying to do, they may allow you to use the place free of charge or at low cost.
2) Once you have the location and date for the auction set in place, I would make up flyers to take with you as you ask for donations from the local businesses. They do not have to be anything fancy. Just something that the managers and things at the stores can hold onto after they make a donation to you. The flyers will come in handy to hang up around different places so that others know about the auction.
3) As far as getting the donations/items for the auctions, go to different stores/restaurants and talk to the managers to see what they can do to help you. It does not have to be large & expensive items..at an auction like that, anything will help in the long run.
You mentioned that you have been to other fundraiser auctions. Do you know any of the people that held the other auctions? If you do, I would talk to them and see if they have any pointers for your local area. The biggest thing that you can do for the auction is to make people aware that you are trying to put an auction together to help some. You will be amazed at the ones out there that will help if they know about it.
One tip as you receive donated items & things is to keep a list of everything that is donated to you and by whom. When we put together a bike ride this past September, we sent out thank you cards to each & every person that helped us put the ride together. I have been told by more than one person to let them know if I ever need help like that again. People like to feel appreciated when they help others.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! GOOD LUCK with your auction!!!
Debbie
2|2|thanks so much!|kam726|shy1inmi@yahoo.com|11:49:14|02/28/2013|
Thank you so much for the advice! I am going to start the planning this weekend, and hope that things fall into place :)
Kris