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What is COF?
What are the goals of COF?
Why an auction?
Who coordinates the auction?
How do I become a sponsor or purchase advertising in the auction book?
Does the auction still need volunteer help?
Can I still donate to the auction?
What does the ticket price cover?
How can I attend?
What kind of items are up for bid at the auction?
How do I bid?
Can a group of friends bid on the item together?
Can I still bid if I can't attend?
Can I just come to the silent auction?
Can I pay by credit card?
How do I get an auction book?
What if I still have questions?
What is COF?
COF is our annual Celebration of Faith Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Lafayette Christian School. This single event raises approximately $75,000 which allows LCS to provide Education Grants to families with financial need. We want a quality Christian education to be available to every family who wants it.
We also raise funds for Teacher Wish List items - Things not in the budget but that enhance the learning experience of all the students. Items purchased in previous years through the auction include an Audio Bible, Study Stations, Storybook Series, Digital Camera, Athletic Uniforms, Lunch Table, Concert Xylophone, Music Stand Cart, Choral Riser, Art Room storage, CDs & DVDs for classroom instruction, and additional Science Lab equipment.
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What are the goals of COF?
1. Fundraising--The primary goal for this event is to raise funds. The money raised by this event goes directly to Lafayette Christian School...the amount raised is usually what is given in Education Grants each year.
2. Public Relations--The publicity of this event, through sponsorships, donations, media interaction helps to raise awareness of the school's mission and values. This in turn further educates the community about our school and encourages a steady flow of new students at all grade levels and additional support.
3. Community--This is an opportunity for the LCS community to come together and celebrate our common mission - the education and spiritual growth of our children.
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Why an auction?
There are a number of ways to raise money for our school community. An auction is believed to be the best single way to earn a substantial sum of money in a single event while promoting the school to a broader audience. This method combines an opportunity for fellowship while generating much needed funds for our school.
Businesses, LCS families and friends have donated items, gift certificates and experiences. Then we auction off those donations to raise money for the school. So bid often and bid high!
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Who coordinates the auction?
It certainly takes many people to run this event! This year's volunteer co-chairs are Danielle White and Lynn Yoran. The development committee, office staff and principal also have an integral role in the logistic success of this event. While the auction chairs do much of the basic planning and foundational work, it is the work of numerous parents that is essential in making this massive undertaking a success. Click Here to see the Auction Chair list!
If you have any other questions, please ask Danielle!
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How do I become a sponsor or purchase advertising in the auction book?
Simply fill out the Sponsor/Advertiser Form and return it to the school office with a digital copy of your artwork by March 8, 2010. We want to thank you for considering sponsorship or advertising with us. Let us know if there's anything we can do for you!
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Does the auction still need volunteer help?
Always! There's many tasks that need done for this event to run smoothly, from data entry and proofing the auction book, to tagging the donations, to setting up the displays at Purdue, gift gathering, assembling gift baskets, preparing dinner for the auction workers, addressing thank you notes, silent auction staffing, cleaning up after the auction, or mailing invitations...the list is long...there's a place for everyone!
Contact the chairperson to join the fun!
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Can I still donate to the auction?
Yes! The absolute final deadline for your item to appear in the addendum sheets is Monday, March 15, 2010. Please fill out a Donation Form - they are located in the front hallway of school near the office. Have it completed and turned into the front office by Friday, March 5, 2010 so it can appear in the official book. As the adage goes...Time, Talent, or Treasure - we can sell any and all of them. Popular items include dinners, sports or theater tickets, parties, kid activities, hand made items, and services such as house cleaning, handyman, auto detailing, gift wrapping, babysitting. Check out the Gift Basket idea list and the Wish List items. Be creative, the more original the better! Need More Ideas? Click Here!
Items received after this date, but before the auction will be included in an addendum...but for maximum exposure, get your donation form turned in early! It doesn't matter if the item isn't quite ready, just make a note that the item is coming later...it really helps the data entry people to have the form turned in so that the book can get to the printers.
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What does the ticket price cover?
Our ticket price for this year's COF will be $50 per person. Each ticket provides one adult admission to the event at the Purdue Memorial Ballrooms on March 20, 2010. The ticket price covers the entire cost of the event including hours d'oeurves, dinner, entertainment, set up, room rental, plus auction expenses such as printing, postage, signage, and decorations. This way the money raised from the auction itself benefits our children and doesn't go towards auction expenses. Please buy your tickets early. Please note, this is an adults only event.
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How can I attend?
Reservations need to be made in advance so that we can plan for dinner. Reservations can be made by calling the school office or by filling out the COF Reservations and returning it to school via mail, fax or online form. You can pay with cash, check, credit card or have it applied to your auction account.
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What kind of items are up for bid at the auction?
Nearly everything you could want! The auction is really set up into two separate sections - a silent auction and a verbal auction with a live auctioneer who will entertain you as well! You can buy restaurant certificates, classroom art, golf outings, medical services, manicures, pedicures, messages, haircuts, electronics, side of beef or hog, birthday parties, auto detailing, portrait packages, music lessons, homemade cookies, sports equipment, theater tickets, DVDs, hand crafted quilts, furniture and so much more! Our gift gathering committee has been very busy and creative this year, so you should see many unique items.
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How do I bid?
When you arrive at the auction, you'll receive your assigned bidder number and an auction book. For silent auction items, you write your bidder number on the bid sheet along with the amount you wish to bid - in whole dollars only. There are different closing times for each silent auction area - check the program guide in your book so you don't miss any closings. The auctioneer will give 5 minute warnings prior to each table's closing. You may bid as many times as you wish and on as many items as you wish. In contrast, during the verbal auction, an auctioneer leads the bidding an you raise your bid paddle in direct competition with other bidders. It's fast and fun!
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Can a group of friends bid on the item together?
Yes! Forming a group is a great way to afford some of the parties and vacations that would be too expensive for just one family. However, we can only charge one bidder's account, so designate a specific bidder and have the other group members pay that bidder.
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Can I still bid if I can't attend?
Yes! You can fill out a Absentee Bid Form and still bid on the auction items you wish to purchase. This is how it will work...by March 17, a copy of the auction book will be available on line or in the school office. Fill out an Absentee Bid Form completely and turn it in to the office by 9AM on Friday, March 19th. For silent auction items, the highest absentee bid will be the opening bid for each item. If no one bids higher at the auction, the item is yours! For the verbal and classroom art, you will specify the highest acceptable bid for the item. Absentee bids will be presented incrementally by a proxy bidder in the standard "loud bid" format. After the auction is complete, you will be notified if you were the winning bidder and your credit card will be charged accordingly. Items will be available for pick up in the front office on Monday, March 22nd. Items not picked up by Friday, March 26th, will be offered to the next highest bidder unless other arrangements have been made.
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Can I just come to the silent auction?
Well, yes...but you still need to pay the full ticket price. This is an all-inclusive event we cannot separate the silent auction from the dinner and verbal portion. We incur facility, decorating, and other overhead costs whether you stay for the entire evening or not. If there are items you wish to purchase but are unable to stay till that item's closing time, please complete an Absentee Bid Form.
Is the cost of the tickets holding you back?
Gather a group of friends whose spouses don't want to attend and come as a group! Leave your spouses at home with the kids! Not only do you save the cost of the other ticket, but you save the cost of a babysitter and have more to spend money at the auction!
Or, volunteer to work the night of the auction. We need data entry people, silent auction staff, entertainment, valet parking attendants, spotters, check out help, and greeters.
Just don't miss out on this exciting evening! You will be blessed beyond measure...after all, it's a celebration!
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Can I pay by credit card?
Yes! You can use your Mastercard or Visa at check out...but credit cards have extra processing fees (about 2%), resulting in a lower net profit for the school. We would prefer payment by check.
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How do I get an auction book?
Auction books are distributed upon entrance to the Purdue Ballrooms. You can preview some auction book listings during the days leading up to the auction. Prior to that date, you can view LAST Year's Auction book.
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What if I still have questions?
Contact the chairperson or call the school at 447-3052.
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