What is the Journey School Auction?
It is our largest fundraising event, which takes place in Spring at the Mission Viejo Country Club.
More importantly, it’s a way to connect with other Journey parents, grandparents, friends, and faculty over dinner and drinks while bidding on terrific items…all while benefiting our kids!
It is an adult-only evening with cocktails, dinner, silent and live auction, raffles, live entertainment and dancing. Journey School Parent Cabinet, with the support of a dedicated team of parent volunteers, creates a memorable evening to raise crucial funds that support Journey School. Unlike some schools, our auction is 100% volunteer run. So its success depends on the participation and generosity of people like you!
Have a question? Email the auction team at journeyauction@gmail.com.
Want to become an event donor or sponsor? Great! Download the forms below:
2020 Sponsor and Donation Letter
2020 Sponsorship Form
2020 Donation Form
Do you want to attend?
To be determined. Typically help in March or April.
Where does the money go?
The money we raise will be used to provide support for:
- The specialties programs – music, art, woodworking, movement and games, handwork, and cooking arts
- Our innovative Eco-literacy, Digital Media Literacy and Compassionate Campus programs
- Financial aid for Overnight Class Field Trips
- Literacy Program Enhancements
- STEAM based makerspaces
What do I wear to the Gala?
Most folks take this once-a-year opportunity to get out of their mommy/daddy clothes or business wear to dress up in their fancy clothes and fancy shoes. Long gowns, cocktail dresses, elegant tops/bottoms and sparkly things are often seen. Tuxedos are rare, stylish suits, dress pants and jackets are mostly worn. Dandy ties are completely optional!
That said, dark jeans and moto boots have also been spotted at these events – whatever makes you comfortable! This year’s theme is Enchanted–think magical, fairy tales, enchanted forest…prince, princess, queen, evil witch, sorcerer, etc.
How can I support the school auction?
You can support the auction through corporate and individual sponsorships, the purchase of event and raffle tickets, donations of auction items, and volunteering your time and talent. These are all important ways you can get involved in our school’s largest fundraising event of the year. It takes the entire community to put on our annual auction and there are many ways to get involved!
- Contact your classroom PC Rep to volunteer for the auction
- Join our procurement team
- Run the class art project or contribute towards it
- Help with data entry in our online auction
- Assemble the baskets into attractive displays
- Set up and take down the day of our event
- Reach beyond our community to raise more funds than is possible on our own!
- Share the mobile bidding link with friends and family OUTSIDE the Journey Community.
- Invite friends and family to join you at the Auction Gala
- Secure Donors and Sponsors
Where do the silent and live auction items come from?
A large portion of the fundraiser’s proceeds come from the silent and live auction items. These items consist of in-kind donations sourced from our business community and the families of Journey School, class art projects, themed baskets, teacher experiences and much much more.
How does the auction raise funds?
Event Tickets
Tickets will go on sale TBD. Invite everyone you know!
Live Auction
Raise those paddles and get ready for some friendly and awe-inspiring bidding wars, all in the name of education. Each attendee of the auction will be given a bid card and a bidding number to compete to become the highest bidder. This lucky person (maybe you) could very well be the winner of a fabulous trip, unforgettable experience, sports fan’s dream package or other items. We are currently soliciting items so please contact the co-chairs with any donations or ideas.
Only Gala attendees will have access to LIVE items. If you’re not attending, ask one of the guests to bid on your behalf if there is a live item that interests you!
Silent Auction and Instant Buys
The silent auction will have a wide variety of items to bid on ranging from birthday party entertainment and restaurant gift certificates to spa packages, family getaways, class art projects, and so much more. Some items will be available as Instant Buy, i.e. a set price, no bidding needed.
Mobile Bidding
View our fabulous auction catalog, place your bids, follow your favorite items, purchase raffle tickets all from your smartphone. You can bid from any location so you can relax and enjoy the auction while ensuring that you are always the top bidder on your desired items – you can even bid remotely on silent auction items if you cannot attend the auction!
Be sure to enter your TOP bid so you can let the system bid for you. It’s similar to eBay in that you’ll only pay as much as it takes to outbid other bidders up to your maximum. You’ll be notified if you’ve been out bid beyond your max or if you’ve won the item!
Sponsorship
There are numerous opportunities to support the auction by becoming a sponsor. You and/or your business can become a sponsor and have your name or logo featured on the website and material, donate an auction item, advertise your business in the catalogue and buy a Premier table to guarantee great seats for the live auction and dancing portion of the evening. All acts of kindness are welcome!
Paddles Up (Fund-a-Need)
Each year the faculty identifies important resources that will benefit our children and school. Supporters then ‘raise their paddles’ to help ‘fund-an-item or need.’ This year, we are raising money for our in-house developed Waldorf Training Certification program that will enable current and future teachers to be fully trained in how to educate the students using a public Waldorf philosophy.
Teacher Experiences
These are experiences donated by the Journey faculty and staff to be bid on by parents at the silent and live auction. Teams of teachers create a unique activity that takes place outside of school hours. Offerings often include visits to special locations, sporting events, local activities and sharing their hobbies and talents beyond the classroom. They are VERY popular with the children and we are so grateful that the faculty supports the auction in this special way.
Class Projects
Every grade at Journey works on one or two special art projects that are then auctioned off at the event. Formats vary and can include collages, quilts, furniture, paintings and more. Each item will be featured in the silent auction the night of the event, so if you are unable to attend, be sure to signup for mobile bidding.
Last Chance Silent Auction
Items that don’t sell for minimum bid or were submitted past the due date will be available for purchase via the Last Chance Silent Auction. This is usually held a week or two after the Auction Gala in a location at the school. Date and room will be announced.