WHAT IS THE FIESTA FUNDRAISER?
I'm new to Gunston and have no idea what the Fiesta FUNdraiser is. The Fiesta FUNdraiser is an outstanding evening of food, fun, and fundraising for
the Gunston community. With entertainment, a silent auction, $1 raffles, delicious food and games for the kids, you get the chance to mingle with parents, visit with teachers, students and staff, AND support Gunston Middle School...all in one night (December 12, 2008)! Join the festivities and you will understand why the Fiesta FUNdrasier is such a big event and truly one of the highlights of the school year.
Where do the prizes come from?
Businesses, families, teachers, and staff all donate prizes that the PTA will either auction or raffle. Students participate in the fundraiser by donating a small item to their TA class basket which the PTA either auctions or raffles. Parents can expect to learn the theme for their child’s TA basket in October or November.
What kind of prizes are donated for the auction and raffles? You
will find almost everything you can imagine from toys and books to theatre and sports tickets. Restaurants often donate gift certificates. Mrs. Gill usually donates tea at the Ritz-Carlton. Families with vacation homes may donate a weekend “rental.” Several families have donated their signature meals, tickets from their season ticket holdings, even babysitting. For students, the TA theme baskets can be just about anything. One year, a TA had a sock basket.
Do I have to buy something? The Fiesta FUNdraiser relies on our community
purchasing items to make it a success. You can show your support by simply coming to the Fiesta FUNdraiser. Dinner and dessert will be on sale. Games for the kids are free. Plus the raffles cost just $1. We think you will be surprised by how many wonderful prizes we have.
What is a silent auction?
What happens in a silent auction is that donated services, items, or gift certificates are available as prizes in individual bidding contests. Each prize will have a bid sheet. If you want that prize you write down your assigned bidder number and the price you are willing to pay. All items will have a minimum bid so you will need to put an amount equal to or higher than the minimum bid. Then another person may come along and offer more money for that item by writing down a higher bid, You may want to bid again. If you really want the item, be sure to check back often so you’re not outbid. You can also select the “Buy It Now” option. With that option you’ll agree to pay more than
the item’s value but definitely win it. Bidding over the item’s value is definitely welcome! Bidding ends on various tables at different times. Our emcee will announce when a section of prizes is ready to close--that is your cue to check on your bids to make your final offers. Once a section is closed, no further bids are allowed. The person with the highest bid goes home with the prize! The others go home wishing they had bid just a little higher.
How can I win a raffle item? Buy lots of raffle tickets and “stuff” the raffle
container with them. The more raffle tickets you buy for an item, the greater chance you’ll have to win that item.
How do I pay? Everything at the Fiesta can be purchased with cash, check, or MasterCard/VISA. Toward the end of the evening we’ll open up a “check-out” station
where you can pay for the auction items you’ve won.
How do I get the items I buy or win?
If you have the highest bid for a prize, it will be given to you after check-out to take home with you. If you win a raffle, you may collect your prize immediately.
What if I win a service from a Gunston family or teacher?
We hope to have lots of amazing services offered by our very generous and talented families and teachers. If you’re lucky enough to be the high bidder for one of these services you can make arrangements directly with the donor to find a mutually agreeable time to "cash in" on your bid. At check-out, we’ll give you a “gift certificate” with contact information for the donor.
Okay, I'm interested! Where and when is this great event?
The Fiesta FUNdraiser is Friday night, December 12th in the Gunston Cafeteria and gym.
Do you need parent volunteers and family donations?
We definitely need donations and volunteers for Fiesta planning and for the night of the event. If you have an hour to volunteer, please contact Gunston parent Ellen ClorePatron at (703) 820-8535 or ellenpatron1@aol.com. She will help you find a way to participate or have a suggestion for what you might donate.