A Fun-Raiser
How can you create laughter and suspense, spark creativity, encourage church members to serve one another, and raise money for a worthy cause all at the same time?
Emmanuel Christian Community in Richmond, British Columbia, enjoyed all those elements when they held a "Service Auction." Besides the fun and fellowship for the 40 members who participated, over $2,000 was raised for World Vision.
Several weeks before the event, a sign-up sheet was posted, and people were encouraged to be creative in thinking of services to offer.
"We especially wanted the kinds of service that involved people spending time together," says Eleanor Spruston, who helped plan the event.
By the night of the auction, 50 items were listed and sold:
• A dozen homemade muffins to be delivered each week for a month went to $7.
• A teenager's offer to tune up a 10-speed bike went for $15.
• A window-washing job went for $65. ("We knew the man who eventually bought it had a huge house, so we bid him up," says Spruston with a grin.)
• A five course gourmet dinner for four went for $85 to two couples who pooled their funds.
"We had a wide variety of services offered," says Spruston. "A dentist offered to tidy up a yard. Others offered oven cleaning, baby sitting, an afternoon of sailing, a series of three racquetball or guitar lessons—gifts of time, talent, and love. And when the bidding was done and the money collected, the benefits had barely begun. We still had the services to be enjoyed, skills to be shared, and new friends to be formed."
After their good experience, Spruston offers the following secrets:
1. While it's not necessary to have a professional auctioneer, choose someone who will keep bidding brisk and inject a little humor.
2. Collect full payment that ...
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