Gift Gathering Tips and Guidelines
We obtain items to be auctioned primarily from YOU, our school families, through donation or procurement which we are calling "Gift Gathering". Gift Gathering is the process of asking businesses or friends to donate items to our auction. We know that for some people this process can be intimidating. It does not have to be. The key to successful Gift Gathering is to be creative and have fun. Here are some guidelines and suggestions to get you started:
Donation and Gift Gathering Guidelines
We are asking each family to procure or donate at least one item.
The catalog deadline for turning in all items is Friday, October 31, 2014.
Items can be delivered to the school office at any time during school hours. Items can be turned in at any time before the final deadline.
The success of our auction depends on the value and demand of the items up for bid. To make sure our auction is successful:
- Please donate items that are new or unused and, whenever possible, in the original packaging.
- Please be sure items are safely wrapped, bagged or boxed to protect them while they are being stored and transported prior to the auction.
- Please turn your items in early.
- Please only donate "sellable" items. For instance, your family doctor, dentist or hair stylist might be happy to donate a free visit, but most people already have established relationships with their own doctor, dentist or hair stylist and won't bid on the item. In those situations, consider asking them to advertise in the auction catalog instead.
- Remember the best items are unique experiences, activities and items that otherwise could not be purchased or not easily purchased. For example, do you know anyone famous who would be willing to have lunch with auction winners? Do you have an "in" at a local museum, theater or sports complex who could arrange for a behind-the-scenes tour?
Who Can I Ask?
Think of your own talents and skills. What can you personally do or offer? Can you cook, garden, tutor or sew? Can you provide legal, accounting, or other professional services? Do you have a boat or are you a pilot? Do you have season tickets? Can you offer a vacation home or cabin?
Ask family. Do any of your relatives have special items, vacation homes, talents they would share with you?
Ask parish friends or school alumni. Would they donate special items or services to support our school?
Ask merchants. If you are a regular customer, don’t be shy about asking for a donation. If you don’t ask, another school or organization will. Remember, this is a form of advertising for them.
Ask friends, neighbors and acquaintances for ideas. Tell them you are trying to think of something unique and valuable for our school auction. Ask whether they have any ideas or thoughts.
E-Mail! Almost every business, hotel, resort, restaurant, merchant has a website. This is a fast and easy way to ask for goods or services. You can easily direct them to the item donation form on our website.
Cold calls. If there is something new you would like to see at the auction, and you don’t have any connections to that item, pick up the phone or visit that merchant. Explain that his/her item or services would be great at our auction and great advertising for the business!
How to Gift Gather
Use an “official” item donation form. Many businesses like to have something in writing for their records, and most require the nonprofit tax ID number, which is located on the item donation form. You can download an official item Donation form HERE or from the link at the top of this section.
Each donation must have a item donation form. Forms are available in the school office or by clicking the link in the sidebar.
Follow up! It may take more than one letter, visit or phone call to get your item. Some merchants “hold” your request until a follow up call or visit is made. Once you call back, however, most are willing to donate. If possible, send a personal thank you to any business that donates. We cannot say thank you enough. It also makes it easier to return next year to ask again. The Auction Committee also will send a thank you note to businesses that donate after the auction.