Auction FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the spring auction?

The annual spring auction is the Grace PTO’s biggest fundraising and community-building event of the year. The auction, in combination with the many other PTO fundraisers during the year, enables us to supplement tuition revenues and provide many things that those alone do not cover, such as technology enhancements, facilities improvements, and field trips. It is also an occasion for the Grace community to come together and to celebrate our shared interest in our children’s education.

When and where is it held?

This year’s auction will be held on Saturday, April 26th, with the doors opening at 6:00 pm, in the heart of Kensington at the Kensington Armory. It is located at 3710 Mitchell Street in the Town Hall. The festivities usually run until about 10:00 or 10:30 pm. Limited parking is available in the Town Hall lot, but there is plenty of street parking near the building.

 I’ve never been to an auction before. How does it work?

There are two main components to our auction: Silent and Live. When you arrive at the auction, each family is provided with a number, which they will then use to identify themselves during the auction’s bidding. Once you have received your number, you can then preview the items up for auction at the tables set up throughout the room.

 

The Silent Auction allows you to examine and bid on various items displayed. Next to each item, you will find a bid sheet with a suggested opening bid amount. Each of the tables “close” in timed intervals. Once the table is closed, the highest bidder wins the item. Two important aspects to note are: you can bid as many times as you would like AND if the item up for auction is a “must have” item, for most of the items you can simply secure it as yours by listing your number in the Guaranteed Purchase Price space.

 

The Live Auction has a more electric, frenzied pace. We have a special guest auctioneer, former Washington Post columnist Bob Levey , who will keep the pace lively and help the items realize the full bidding potential. It is also straight forward and simple: The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer is the purchaser. During the live auction there will also be an opportunity for all bidders to contribute to our Special Appeal. All you have to do is raise your bidder card when the amount you choose to donate is announced. That donation will appear in your auction total at the end of the evening.

What kinds of things are there on which to bid?

The auction catalog describes each of the items offered, as well as the relevant auction rules. There is always a wide variety, from restaurant certificates, theater and sports tickets, museum passes, vacation homes, and many one-of-a-kind items and services put together by parents and friends.

Are the decorations REALLY for sale?

Absolutely, and they are on a first come, first serve basis. Unlike the rest of the auction, these items will have a flat list price for the objects that the Auction Committee will no longer have a need for. All items that have a tag, such as fabric, vases, candles, and some faux trees, will be yours to purchase outright at a very reasonable price!! The prices and information on how to make a purchase will be on a separate document when you check-in. When you leave for the evening, you may take the item home.

What does my child's class do?

Each of the classes creates a unique hand-made project and also assembles a themed basket for the silent auction. In the two months leading up to the Auction, parents have been working behind the scenes helping out the classes in two ways. One is the Class Basket and the other is the Class Project. Be sure to look for both offerings! The parents have created wonderful theme baskets and the children have created truly original artwork.

 If I attend, must I make any purchases? Is there an “understanding” or “expectation” that I will spend?

Absolutely not! Although it is our hope that there will be something offered that will be hard to resist, there are no expectations that you must make any bids whatsoever. This is also an important social event; so we hope you come, explore, spend time with others from the Grace Community, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!

 How much does it cost?

Tickets are $50 each in advance and $60 at the door. Along with your ticket purchase you can also buy a “Best of the Live” raffle ticket, which will give you a chance to win the live auction item of your choice. Only 100 of these $100 tickets will be sold.

 How do I pay for the items I win?

Cash, checks, and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express will be accepted (note: unfortunately, Debit Cards are not accepted). When you arrive at the auction you will be able to present your credit card to the check-in cashiers. Your card will be swiped into a secure credit card terminal and registered with your bid number. It WILL NOT be charged unless you purchase any items or make a special appeal donation and then ONLY if you choose not to pay by cash or check. Once you check out at the end of the evening you will be presented with a statement showing the items you purchased and the amount you paid.

What should I wear?

You won’t need to come in black tie or “outdoor” attire, but you’ll feel comfortable somewhere in-between. Dress comfortably for a fun and festive evening!

 Will there be food? Drinks?

Absolutely! Although the auction is not a sit-down dinner affair, we will have an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and light supper fare meant to sustain you during the evening, along with an open bar of beer, wine, sodas, and a special signature drink.

Can I bring my child(ren)?

No, this is an adults-only event. An evening child care program, however, will be provided and conveniently located at the Kensington Campus, only minutes away from the Kensington Armory. The kids enjoy games, pizza, age-appropriate movies, and can even curl up in the cozy library with a pillow and blanket. Please contact us before the auction to make a reservation.

How can I make a donation?

Many of you have graciously donated items or advertised in the catalog (or arranged for a business to do so); there are still ways you can help with a tax deductible contribution, even if you cannot attend:

• Sponsor a teacher —donate $50 to support a teacher’s admission to the auction.
• Underwrite part of the auction costs —you can help underwrite the costs of the event from food, beverages, printing, decorations, etc.
• Make a cash donation to the GEDS PTO —funds raised from the auction will directly benefit programs such as technology enhancements, field trips, teacher pin money, and many more things that directly benefit our children.

 This sounds like an awful lot of work. Is there any way I can help?

Yes! Many hands have been needed to make the auction a success! Volunteers are still needed to help in hour shifts on auction night and with set up prior to the event.