Fundraisers

I went to a fundraiser last night.   It was fun.   I really like fundraisers.   It’s a chance to go to a party, buy some stuff, and feel like you’re helping out a good cause.   I’ve been to quite a few over the years and most places have the format down pretty good.   There are a few mainstays of these events that I think are pretty interesting.

The most important part of any fund raiser is the open bar.   I don’t think I’ve ever been to one where you’ve had to pay for drinks.   Sure, it costs a bit more to put on your event with an open bar, but this will pay huge dividends.   The drunker people get, the more generous they feel.  This means that they will pay more for everything.   They will also donate more and become more competitive with each other.   The competition is important for the various auctions that are to come.  It’s amazing how fun a glider ride sounds after a couple of cocktails. 

The actual fundraising will usually start with the silent auction.   People have donated various things that will be laid out on tables and you can walk by and bid on them.  You write your name and/or number down along with the price you’re willing to pay for it.  It’s important that there is a set end time for the silent auction.   There are usually a few things that you really want.   When the end time gets close you have to go stand near your item to be sure someone doesn’t come in at the end and outbid you.  I’ve seen items that will nearly double in price during the last 2 or 3 minutes.   This is exactly what the organizers are hoping for.   If they can get people into a bidding war then it’s the best case scenario for the cause.

After the silent auction you have dinner.  This is chance to lube up the guests with even more wine.   It’s also a chance to get them in place for the regular auction.   There will be few things that you will have an auctioneer work through.   This is where the real competition starts.   It’s really hard not to bid on things.   You can imagine how that painting will look in your house.   You can imagine how fun that vacation will be.   You imagine how great that jelly of the month is going to taste.   Sometimes they will even auction off nothing at all.   How much will you donate?   People can get so competitive at this point that they are willing to just donate more than the next guy.   It makes you feel good.   It’s good for the cause.

I do really enjoy events like the one I went to last night.   I always come home with things that I wouldn’t otherwise buy.   Last night I bought a painting in the silent auction.   I also participated in a couple of raffles and, along with my table, purchased an extremely rich chocolate cake for dessert.    I drank at least a bottle of very cheap Chianti.    It’s not about the wine though, it’s about the cause.   Find a fundraiser to go to.  Maybe even donate something for the silent auction.   I promise it will make you feel good about yourself.   If nothing else, it’s a reason to dress up a bit.