Success!

Hey everyone! Great job on another A Night Out success! We worked hard gathering donations, setting stuff up, serving and cleaning up after. We've even got all our thank you letters written and sent out! Amazing work everyone. Together, we raised $7,000 towards the cost of our mission trips this summer.

I heard lots of compliments about the evening, ranging form the great service, to the good food to the wonderful entertainment. I agree! I was super impressed at how well everyone came through remembering their lines, being where they were supposed to be and performing wonderfully- whether it was skit or music or joke! I was especially impressed with the youth that had never participated in A Night Out before- Great job!

The only thing left to do is make sure you follow through with your auction services. Don't let it get too late before you complete your services! If the person who won your service hasn't contacted you in a month or so, PLEASE contact them, and at least remind them.

It's almost Auction Time!

How important is this event?

In the past, each student would have had to pay almost their entire mission trip expense. There were some small fundraisers (Super Bowl Subs, Pancake Breakfast, Car Wash) but they didn’t make a significant impact on expenses. There were also Youth Serve opportunities, but these were sporadic. The big fundraiser was our “A Night Out” dinner. The entire profit from this dinner was typically $1500. (split between all mission trip participants.) In 2010 we implemented a silent auction portion to our fundraising dinner. The  average profit from the auction alone has added between $3,000 and $4,000 to our expenses. Since we implemented the auction, no student has had to pay more than their $50 deposit. All expenses have been covered.

This year, we have the added expenses of extra travel days, which creates more meals needed and more gas to purchase. We’ve also added the cost of 2 passenger van rentals. This year, more than ever, we want a very successful fundraising dinner and auction.

How can you help?

Parents and Youth: Encourage bidding! Mingle with your guests or others at the auction tables, encouraging them to bid and even overbid on the items.  (It’s for a good cause!)

Parents: bid yourselves! Yes, you’re still spending money, but you’ll be getting some wonderful items for it! Or, maybe you’ll just be increasing the amount that other people will pay for that item!

Remember the mantra.... Bid high and bid often!