Follow these quick links to the answer to your question, or scroll down to read through the entire list of questions and answers.

What is the auction?

The annual Gala Auction is the greatest single fund raiser undertaken by the parent community in support of the school. The event is held at the University of Virginia's new and exciting John Paul Jones Arena. The evening consists of a social with silent auction and heavy hors d'oeuvres, including carving stations and a pasta station. The evening will proceed with a sit down coffee and dessert during our exciting live auction. Participants will then dance the night away with Charlottesville's own live band, Metanoia.     (back to top)

 

Why an auction? Why not try other ways of making money?

There are a number of ways to raise funds for a school. The majority of methods involve door-to-door sales of wrapping paper, magazines, popcorn, etc. Additionally, there are bake sales or yard sales. These all make money, but not substantial funds. To bring in what we made at just last year's auction we would need at least 20 door-to-door sales drives, 50+ extremely profitable yard sales and over 600 bake sales.

The auction is a highly focused fundraising event. Our Catholic community and the community at large are becoming familiar with both our school and our annual gala auction. Because we have narrowed our fundraising to a very selective and highly profitable means, we are not unrelentingly asking our communities to donate or spend money on items they may not really want to purchase.     (back to top)

 

What are the Goals for the Auction?

There are three primary functions of the gala auction:

1. Raise Money. Clearly the funds to be made are considerable and are of great benefit to our school.
2. An opportunity for school parents to come together and celebrate our school community and our common interest in the education of our children.
3. Public Relations. An event of this scope not only brings in a huge amount of money, but also has a favorable impact on the community.

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Where does the money go?

All money raised by the auction goes directly towards the operations of the school. (It is already written into the operating budget.) These funds help meet the many needs of our growing school and offset steep increases in tuition.     (back to top)

 

Who coordinates and organizes the auction?

The auction is an organized effort of the Development Committee of our school board and the parent community. While the executive committee does much of the basic planning, it is the work of numerous individual parents and community members which is essential in making this massive undertaking a success.     (back to top)

 

What is the history of our gala auction?

Our very first auction was held November 1996, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall, barely 3 months after Charlottesville Catholic School opened its doors to our children. An enormous amount of effort by a very small group of people went into that short span of time, and the auction netted over $13,000.

The following year, the auction was again held in November at St. Thomas. With a theme of "Starry, Starry Night", the event brought in over $32,000.

In the 1998/1999 school year, we moved the gala auction to the Doubletree Hotel because we outgrew the space that St.Thomas had so graciously shared. This also gave us the opportunity to move from hors d'oeuvres only to an elegant sit-down dinner. We moved to a spring date to allow more time to inform and utilize the entire parent body throughout the year. Our "Pennies from Heaven" auction raised over $40,000 for our school.

The auction for the 1999/2000 school year was held on May 6, 2000, just one day after Cinco de Mayo. It just seemed natural to call the celebration Fiesta for the Children!

We again outgrew available space and the Auction 2001, "A Renaissance May Faire" was moved to the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlottesville.

Other Auctions and Themes:

May 2002 - "Paradise Found"

May 2003 - "Lights, Camera, Auction" raised $58,300 for the operating budget as well as $5,700 to "Support the Arts"

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Do I need to pre-purchase tickets?

Yes, tickets must be purchased in advance.     (back to top)

 

How can I get an auction catalog or tickets?

Auction catalogs which highlight all items in the auction and our donor businesses will be made available a few weeks before the auction date. The catalogs will be provided to all school families and be available at the local Catholic parishes after masses on the weekends leading up to the auction.

Auction invitations and ticket request forms will be mailed to the parents and friends of CCS several weeks before the auction. Any members of the community who would like to receive an invitation can call the school or download a ticket request form from the online catalog.     (back to top)

 

What if I want to bid on an item, but I cannot make it to the auction?

You can place an absentee bid online. See the online catalog for complete details.     (back to top)

 

What if do not win the items I bid on, but I still want to help the school on auction night?

In addition, at the end of the live auction, we have an opportunity to make donations to a special project. (In past years, we raised money for the school library, a new copy machine, and playground equipment at the new school building.) The auctioneer will facilitate this by asking who is willing to contribute $25, $50, $75, or more towards this special project. All you have to do is raise your bidder card in the air when the amount you choose to donate is announced. (Feel free to raise it for more than one amount!) The donation will then appear in your auction total when you check out after the auction.     (back to top)

 

How can I help, make a donation, or purchase advertising in the auction catalog?

All contributions are most welcome and even the smallest job is of great importance in making the auction a success.

• Make a Donation
  Learn how to make a donation to the school for the auction (or how to ask your favorite business to contribute).
  Many items are needed for the auction. Of course, donated items or gift certificates from businesses are very important, but that is only the beginning!
  • Do you have any antiques or fine art, or a vacation home that you can offer for a week?
  • Can you perform a service ( cook a gourmet meal, paint a room, babysit, or teach someone how to understand their computer)? The possibilities are endless!
  • Can you build or make something? Handmade items like quilts, doll clothes, furniture, and toys make our auction unique and special.
• Become a Corporate or Table Sponsor
  Sponsors receive a variety of benefits as well as the thanks of the entire CCS community.
• Purchase Advertising in our Auction Catalog
  Twelve hundred auction catalogs are distributed throughout the Charlottesville community. Advertising in the catalog can be great exposure to local businesses. Individuals can purchase ads to show their support for our school.
• Donate your time - Many hands are needed to make the auction a success! We need a representative from almost every family in the school to help in some way. Find out how you can help. We have jobs large and small - every bit of input is important!

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For Parents Only

Are you a parent and not sure what the auction is all about? Not sure if you can or should attend the auction? Do not know how to help with your cramped schedule? Check out the Questions Parents Ask page for answers to these questions and more.        (back to top)