Schools Find Gold

On Auction Block

Every year, cadres of volunteers across the country dust off the bidding paddles, contact the caterers and shop the most unique donations for what has become the gold standard in school fund-raising — the benefit auction.  The money raised is spent for things like scholarships, curriculum enrichment, technology upgrades, staff development, even general upkeep.  The events are popular because they are a win-win:  Schools get needed funds and parents go home with a purchase, perhaps a week at a luxury beach house, box seats for their favorite team or the most coveted item of all, the handmade class art project.

At High Meadows, there's an added draw.  The auction is the one and only time of the year for an off-campus, adults-only gathering of parents, teachers, administrators and staff.  It's the grownup party of the school year!

From Small Hands,

Many Masterpieces

Long gone are the years when the auction committee could set up a tent on the meadow, pray for no rain and easily accommodate everyone in the school community for a casual evening under the stars. Even though the auction now features fanciful themes at elegant sites, the classroom art projects are still its heart and soul.

The charming class projects, crafted with the artistic guidance of parent volunteers, have set off many bidding wars at auction. The pieces are remarkable for their creative expression and, as one parent put it, "gallery quality." For last year's Klein-Vincent kindergarten project, above, each handmade house was encased in glass with the child's own tender words about home. Students in the Burke-Johnston 4-5 class collected old costume jewelry and other trinkets from their families to create a jewel-encrusted violin. Class projects have raised as much as $10,000 apiece in recent years.

The Biggest Fundraiser of the Year

Tuition alone does not cover the expense of running our innovative school. Thanks to SHARE and the generosity of parents, staff and the community, the last two auctions together raised about $167,000 that was put to use enriching High Meadows in so many ways. Your participation is needed to make the 2008 treasure the largest yet. There are many ways to help. Contact auction co-chairs Andrea Hannon (vieste@comcast.net) and Laurie Nash (ricknash11@bellsouth.net).