What we need

A successful auction starts with successfully soliciting donations. We want to collect a wide variety of auction items to make sure the silent and live auctions offer fun, excitement and something for everyone.Think UNIQUE! Think, “What can’t be bought?”

WHAT’S HOT:

• Gift certificates: Restaurants and retail stores for all types of merchandise
• Recreation adventures: White water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, eagle watching, whale watching tours, cruises on the Sound and lake, golf and tennis lessons, family adventures and fun, etc.
• Recreation equipment: Skiing, golf, fishing, camping gear, sports, roller blades, bike, jet ski, exercise equipment.
• Vacation properties (for weekend/week): Beach front cabins, ski chalet, timeshare condos, hotels, etc.
• Vacation packages: Hotel, rental car, transportation (air, rail, boat), airline frequent flyer miles, sightseeing opportunities with unique twist, e.g., a tour of a museum with the curator. Note: Any part of a trip is helpful and may give someone else an idea.
• Unique experiences: Opportunity to be with a celebrity or sports figure (for a meal, round of golf, interview, etc.); gourmet or ethnic meal served to 6 to 10 (or more); wine tasting in private home or winery; VIP seating at sporting event; hosted parties, such as Flip Flop Lemon Drops, Tiaras and ‘Tinis, Men’s Poker Night, Back-to-School Bash (adults), etc.
• Handmade items: Holiday decorations, infant and children's clothes, dolls/accessories, etc.
• Fantasy experiences: Drive a hydroplane or race car, appear in a movie or advertisement, ride an elephant.
• Romantic get-aways: Weekend hotel and resort packages, tickets to the symphony, ballet, Fifth Avenue, limousine, his/her spa retreat.
• Artwork: Some artwork, such as Northwest art, watercolors, and artglass.
• Pampering & professional services: Personal training, masseuse, in-home computer consulting, interior design, landscape design. Also, services that produce an end product, such as carpentry, lawn and yard maintenance, custom tailored clothing and alterations.

WHAT’S NOT:

• Some professional services: Many services have high value but tend not to sell for close to minimum value. Examples include financial planning, legal services, real estate services, etc. There are some exceptions. Professional services that have sold well in the past include personal training, masseuse, in-home computer consulting, interior design, landscape design.
• Used items: There are exceptions like valuable antiques.
• Animals: Animals have a difficult time at the auction because of noise and confusion. Our other concern is for the welfare of the animal after the auction. Selling animals to people purchasing on the spur of the moment may not be in the best interest of the animal.