Fun & Games Planned for 27th Annual Silent Auction

Posted Jan 31, 2010

The HPTA will hold its 27th Annual Silent Auction on Sat., March 6 at Westborough’s Doubletree Hotel. The Children’s Gallery Preview will take place from 1-3 p.m., with the main event starting at 7 p.m.

The HPTA will also conduct its Second Annual Online Auction, with bidding opening Fri., Feb. 26 and running until 11:59 p.m. on March 5.

“The theme for this year’s 27th Annual Event is ‘Take a Chance at the HPTA’s Silent Auction,’” said HPTA President Cindy Bernardo. “We chose this theme because we wanted to add something new to the auction this year and change some things up. We are offering great games for guests to come and test their luck. People love the chance to win something!”

Games include the Wheel of Prizes, Hopkinton Plinko and the Money Machine, which offers three lucky guests the chance to grab as much cash as possible in 30 seconds.

The main event will also offer food stations and passed hors d’oevres, as well as silent and live auctions with Emcee Chris Zito from “Zito and Karen Blake in the Morning” on 103.3 WODS.

“We hope this brings a lot of people out to the event to see not only what bargains they can bring home from the auction tables, but what great prizes they can win in our new games,” said Bernardo.

Hopkinton High School student Cally Altamura designed the event’s cover artwork, titled “Deck of Cards.”

The Children’s Gallery Preview will include an ice cream sundae bar, autographed Kindergarten through 3rd grade items, a Zhu Zhu pet raffle package valued at $280, Clarity the clown, face painting, balloons and the ever-popular children’s baskets.

Tickets for the evening event cost $20 in advance at Action Copy Plus, online at http://www.hptaonline.com/ or at the Children’s Gallery Preview in the afternoon. Advance ticket sales begin February 19. At the door, tickets will cost $25, with volunteers paying $15.

The online auction at http://www.biddingforgood.com/hopkinton will begin Feb. 26.

“The HPTA’s 1st Annual Online Auction was such a HUGE hit for the schools, we are bringing it back with even more items this year,” said Bernardo. “We are planning to have double the number of items at the 2nd Online Auction. We were so impressed by the breadth and number of people who came out to bid online from all over the country. It is definitely a great way to raise funds for the schools.”

The Silent Auction is the most significant annual fundraiser offered by the HPTA. Over the 15 years of the HPTA organization, the Auction and other fundraisers have allowed the HPTA to budget over $2 million for the Hopkinton Public Schools. The proceeds of the events go directly to the schools to be used for programs such as student enrichment, scholarships, communication, technology enhancement, and professional development programs. For more information please visit http://www.hptaonline.com/.

Submitted by Jean Cann

Annual Auction, Fundraiser Events, The Runner

Baskets, Containers and Packing Materials Needed

Posted Nov 15, 2009

If you find yourself with extra baskets, decorative containers, and packing peanuts over the holidays, our fabulous Silent Auction basket makers would be happy to have them. Please contact Jackie Potenzone at jackieandcompany@verizon.net or 508-435-6618 to arrange for drop-off or pick-up.

We’re also in need of volunteers to make phone calls to returning donors. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Cindy Bernardo at 508-497-9458 or cindybernardo@hotmail.com.

Annual Auction, The Runner, Volunteer Opportunities

Silent Auction Date Change and Theme Ideas Needed

Posted Nov 15, 2009

The date of the Silent Auction has changed from what was originally published in the Source Book. Please mark your calendars for the HPTA’s largest fundraiser of the year. The new dates are as follows:

    2nd Annual Online Auction – February 26 – March 5
    Children’s Gallery Preview – March 6 @ 1-3pm
    27th Annual Silent Auction – March 6 @ 7pm

We are currently looking for a theme for the Silent Auction, something to do with games, luck, game shows, test your luck, etc. Please send your auction theme ideas to silentauction@hptaonline.com.

Annual Auction, The Runner

Wanted: Silent Auction Co-Chairs

Posted Aug 6, 2009


The HPTA is looking for some good folks to co-chair the 27th Annual Silent Auction.

Skills Needed:

  • Organized and detail-oriented
  • Good at delegating responsibilities to the auction team
  • One co-chair should be familiar with online auctions and be comfortable using technology
  • Able to dedicate a lot of time to the auction in the 4 months leading up to the event, but this is not a year-round job
  • Ready to raise more money in one night than any other HPTA fundraiser all year

What we can offer you:

  • Venue and date already booked for Saturday, April 10th at the Doubletree Hotel, Westborough
  • Children’s Gallery Coordinators ready to get to work
  • Neighborhood Coordinator also ready to go
  • A list of 50+ auction night volunteers and table workers who return to help out at this wonderful event year after year
  • Hundreds of parents and community members who turn out every year to bid on unique items and to have a great night out together with friends in support of our schools
  • Long list of local business who regularly donate auction items
  • A binder full of detailed information and instructions from last year’s incredibly organized auction chair
  • Credit for pulling off the largest and most fabulous HPTA fundraiser of the year
Interested? Questions?
Contact Cindy Bernardo at cindybernardo@hotmail.com
or 508-497-9458

Annual Auction, The Runner

Silent Auction Survey ends Sun May 10th!

Posted May 8, 2009

On March 7, we celebrated the HPTA’s 26th Annual Silent Auction at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough. We also completed our 1st Annual Online Auction from Feb. 20 – Mar. 6. If you attended the Silent Auction or participated in the Online Auction, can you please take a few moments to let us know what you thought of these events? We are looking to find ways to make these events better for next year.

Click Here to Begin the Survey:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2295U5ATXCR

The survey must be completed by Sunday, May 10th. Thank you so much for you participation!
The HPTA Silent Auction Committee

PS: Save the Date for the 27th Annual Silent Auction on April 10, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough

Annual Auction, The Runner

Silent Auction raises $50,000 for schools!

Posted Apr 23, 2009

The HPTA held its Children’s Gallery Preview and 26th Annual Silent Auction on Saturday, March 7, at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough. The event, which is the HPTA’s largest fundraiser, generated close to $50,000 to help support the betterment of the Hopkinton Public Schools.
The HPTA’s first online auction, available through cMarket, raised more than $13,000 alone. The online component allowed bidding on select items prior to the event. “Bidders from as far as Maryland to Maine bid on items to support our schools,” said Silent Auction Chairperson Cindy Bernardo. Due to its success, a second post-event online auction was made available for those who were unable to attend.
Dozens of families enjoyed the afternoon Children’s Gallery Preview. In keeping with the school district’s “Go Green” campaign, the “Great Green Ambulance” greeted attendees at the entrance. Children were able to climb aboard the unusual vehicle, fueled by waste vegetable oil. Inside the hotel, families were awed by the amazing display of themed baskets that were made with donations collected from each grade.
Isabelle O’Rourke, age 6, was the lucky winner of a Disney basket featuring a blow-up pool overflowing with toys. “My girls will have hours of fun with all of this great stuff. It’s like Christmas all over again. They are thrilled!” said her mother, Celine.
Other displays included a tent hung over an array of camping and fishing items, a bucket of children’s dress-up clothes complete with boas, fairy wings and jewels, and a ladies luxuries package stuffed with pampering products. Handmade totes signed by each kindergartener, handmade pillows signed by second-graders, and fantastic slates signed by the third-graders were displayed for raffle. “Blinkee” the Clown created balloon sculptures to the delight of many, while dozens indulged in the complimentary ice cream sundae bar.
The main event attracted a crowd of more than 350 who enjoyed an evening of socializing with neighbors, sampling hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a chocolate fountain, and browsing the 500-plus items available for bid. Items included something for everyone – jewelry, Red Sox tickets, Boston Bruins tickets, a Bose radio, a Blu-Ray DVD player, a handcrafted wooden jewelry box, a hand-blown glass vase, museum passes, home services, salon certificates, and much more.
DJ and emcee Carl Adams, along with Cindy Bernardo, kept the crowd bidding during the live auctions throughout the evening. “It was so much fun to emcee the event and get people out there to bid. The live auction brought in much-needed funds, with the Piaggio Fly 50 scooter bringing in the highest bid of $2,100,” said Bernardo.
Thanks to all of the businesses who sponsored this spectacular event! (Please see Co-Presidents’ letter for a listing of sponsors.)

Photos by Kathleen Culler and Amy Ritterbusch

Annual Auction, Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, Green Committee, The Runner

Annual Auction Information

Children’s Gallery Baskets

  • The Children’s Gallery theme baskets are always an extremely popular segment of the Auction.
  • Classes are assigned specific themes. Parents are welcome to contribute new items based on the class theme. A collection bin will be located in each classroom.
  • Basket-makers collect each classroom’s donations prior to the Auction and create an amazing, overflowing basket based on your generosity.
  • Baskets are raffled off and winners will be chosen at the Auction. Tickets are sold in advance and at the Auction. The winner does not need to be present at the Auction to win.
  • We will be collecting donations for the baskets from February 28 – March 25.
  • New items should be sent into school with your child during this time period. We will also accept monetary donations which will be used to purchase items for the baskets. Checks (no cash please) should be made payable to the HPTA, and sent into school in an envelope addressed to the “Children’s Gallery.”
  • Donations are voluntary!

Click for photos of last year’s fabulous baskets!

Be creative and have fun!

It’s OK to think outside the box with the theme! The children love to get involved and see what their classes can accumulate. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you at the auction. If you cannot attend, we will be sending home raffle tickets for purchase during February Break.
Look for them in your child’s backpack and on the HPTA website!

Questions?
Kathy Reynolds: 508-625-1491 or kreynolds118@comcast.net
Mary Holden: 508-435-8782 or mary.hldn@gmail.com

Become an Auction Donor or Sponsor!

The Hopkinton Parent Teacher Association is pleased to offer you the opportunity to become a sponsor and/or donor for this event. A sponsorship of the online auction will allow you to align yourself with a worthy cause and allow you to tap into an active, engaged community over 600 members strong locally, as well as nationwide with Bidding for Good. On the HPTA auction website or in our targeted auction email blasts, we will feature your brand, along with a link to your own website for select sponsorship levels. That means your involvement will be visible and your products/services accessible to each and every one of our members – as well as anyone who visits our Bidding for Good online auction website,www.biddingforgood.com/hopkinton.

The success of the Auction is contingent upon the support from our sponsors and donors. The sooner you sign on, the more visibility you will enjoy as a sponsor and/or donor of the online auction. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our Auction Chairperson. We thank you for your consideration.

Questions? silentauction@hptaonline.com

Donate an Item or Service
click Online Donation Form
pdf Printable Donation Form

Become a Sponsor
click Online Sponsorship Form
pdf Printable Sponsorship Form

Sponsorship Levels

Genius – $1,000 (5 spots)

  • Your company’s logo in all event materials including posters, maps, electronic flyers, and a PowerPoint presentation.
  • A 120 x 120 pixel web ad with your company’s logo and link which will appear EITHER above the fold on every page of the online auction website in the right side-bar (3 global above the fold spots available), OR above the fold in a call-out box on the front page of the auction website (2 call-out box spots available). To see sample placement visit the auction site atbiddingforgood.com/hopkinton.
  • Your ad/brochure as an insert in our give-away bags at the Children’s Gallery.
  • Your company’s banner to be placed on a table of your choice at the Children’s Gallery.

Brilliant – $500 (17 spots)

  • Your company’s name listed on all event materials including posters, electronic flyers, maps, and a PowerPoint presentation.
  • A 120 x 120 pixel web ad with your company’s logo and link which will appear EITHER in 10 email blasts sent to our members and auction bidders – over 1000 people (10 email spots available), OR below the fold on every page of the online auction website in the right side-bar (7 global below the fold spots available). To see sample placement visit the auction site at biddingforgood.com/hopkinton or contact Cindy to see a sample email.
  • Your ad/brochure as an insert in our give-away bags at the Children’s Gallery.
  • Your company’s banner to be placed on a table of your choice at the Children’s Gallery.

Bright – $350 (8 spots)

  • Advertisement in a PowerPoint presentation during the Children’s Gallery event.
  • A 120 x 120 pixel web ad included at the bottom of the online auction homepage.
  • Your ad/brochure as an insert in our give-away bags at the Children’s Gallery.
  • Your company’s banner to be placed on a table of your choice at the Children’s Gallery.

Smart – $100 (Unlimited)

  • Advertisement in a PowerPoint presentation during the Children’s Gallery event.
  • Includes your business name and website link as text only on the online auction website.
  • Your ad/brochure as an insert in our give-away bags at the Children’s Gallery.

Priority Ad Placement– Sponsorships are sold on a first-come first-served basis. The first payment received for each sponsorship level will receive top placement on the website and/or emails. Choice of banner placement on the tables is also first-come first-served.