| As the parents of two children, we're always | | | | - Bring a pad and pencil to keep track of items you |
| attending fundraisers that benefit an organization. | | | | want or that you would like to gift |
| Whether it's their school, gymnastics club, or a charity | | | | - As the event goes on, stroll back over to the items |
| event there is usually a silent auction being held. I | | | | and see if you might have competition. Having eagle |
| guess since we're in the Los Angeles area, we're | | | | eyes on other bidders will help give you the upper |
| lucky to see some really cool items especially if | | | | hand when it comes time to make your final bid |
| you're into celebrity stuff. I remember one Silent | | | | - If you overpay, so what! It's for charity |
| Auction we attended a while back had a lunch with | | | | - Make your high offers at the close of the auction in |
| one of the runners up from "The Bachelorette" as | | | | case there is a bidding war for stuff you really want |
| one of the prizes. The guy had just come off the | | | | The truth is that Silent Auctions are meant to bring in |
| series and was cashing in on his 15 minutes of fame. I | | | | money for the Organization. If your kids' school is |
| don't blame the gent; he was really nice and mingled | | | | having a fundraiser, the proceeds might be going to |
| with all the guests. The moms loved this dashing | | | | buy copy paper and other supplies that are |
| young hunk and were pushing each other away at | | | | desperately needed in the public school system. If it's |
| the auction table to win the lunch. | | | | a charity event, that organization might need it for |
| At other events, I've seen old scripts signed by the | | | | keeping an office running. paying the phone bill, |
| cast of Friends, Seinfeld, General Hospital and more. | | | | electric bill or another needy area. What can an |
| Since we live in area that is near the movie studios, | | | | organization do to open the purse strings of event |
| these types of items don't appeal to us as much as | | | | goers? Obviously having alcohol at an event helps |
| someone who loves the celebrity world, but is to far | | | | loosen things up, however I don't think most schools |
| away to mix with the stars. However the celebrity | | | | would take kindly to loopy patrons on school grounds. |
| stuff is only a small part of the treasures of Silent | | | | Should the kids be sent home with a letter in their |
| Auctions. The one I recently attended had a signed | | | | backpack as a plea for help? Or are people simply so |
| drum head by Mick Fleetwood, a poster signed by all | | | | cheap that if they don't feel they're getting a bargain, |
| the members of the Nine Inch Nails, lots of other | | | | they'll simply pass on bidding? |
| cool rock & roll stuff, tons of spa stuff, salon | | | | Think about this and offer suggestions to your |
| stuff, PlayStation Games, WII, Games, Xbox Games... | | | | schools, charities, or other places that have auctions. |
| well you get the point. | | | | Pass the word with other parents by subtly hinting |
| Here's the cool part of most silent auctions. The best | | | | on how excited you are about the event and tell |
| stuff either gets low ball bids or no bids. Does three | | | | them your "Silent Auction" secrets. |
| pounds of Starbucks coffee with two mugs, and | | | | My favorite auction win was actually not a silent |
| some other Starbucks stuff sound good? Winning bid | | | | auction but I still got a good deal and a great prize. |
| $10! How about a brand new Tony Hawk | | | | We were attending a charity event benefiting kids |
| Skateboard? Winning bid $30. What would you say to | | | | with special needs. Luc Robitaille was playing with the |
| 10 baby sitter sessions at a local gym while you're | | | | Los Angeles Kings and donated a Wayne Gretzky |
| working out for free? Winning bid $50. | | | | autographed hockey stick, two Gretzky signed |
| Because I'm the curious type, I always ask the | | | | photos and four tickets to a Kings game. Winning bid |
| person running the Silent Auction how the traffic has | | | | was $500 but I was happy to pay it. The |
| been and most of the time they'll say, "Oh just a | | | | organization did a lot of great work with kids who |
| bunch of lookers, no bidders. This is when I bounce!!! | | | | have disabilities including my son. We got to hang out |
| You can get some really great gifts for next to | | | | on the backlot of CBS studios where they film a |
| nothing. A recent great buy was an Autographed | | | | bunch of shows on a street with fake stores, building |
| framed photo of Marcus Allen. I paid $20! Highway | | | | with facades only, and other movie tricks. Although I |
| robbery I tell you; Marcus is a Hall of Fame player. | | | | said earlier that we're not that gaga over celebs, its |
| Shoot, the frame was worth at least $20. I love | | | | still neat to see how the magic is made for TV |
| deals, just like you do however I also feel bad in a | | | | shows and films. We even met the drummer from |
| way. People donate some really great items and see | | | | the band X who was playing in a jazz band that night |
| them go for next to nothing. I bet most think twice | | | | to help keep the party going. All in all there was great |
| about finding items the next time their child has a | | | | food, lots of laughing, some crying when they |
| charity event. We once donated a kids rocking chair | | | | showed a film with kids who had benefited from this |
| that typically sells for $129.00. The high bid was $30, | | | | organizations great work, and people who were |
| so we ended up buying back our own item. I bet | | | | happy to part with their money to help an excellent |
| that happens a lot. | | | | cause. Silent auction or regular auction, if you can get |
| Silent Auction Tips | | | | out and bid. It's fun, exciting, and feels good to give. |
| - Browse the items early | | | | |