The Gala is the PTA’s largest fundraising event - a fabulous adults-only evening for our Spruce community. Enjoy great food, drinks, camaraderie and the chance to bid on and win some great items in a silent and live auction.
How can I help?
Our collective efforts have a huge impact on the quality of our children’s education. We need participation from the full parent body in order to make the Gala evening a success. Your help makes all the difference on every level possible – as a donor, underwriter, volunteer and/or bidder. Volunteer opportunities exist for all skill levels and time commitments.
What does the PTA do with the money it raises?
The monies raised from the Gala make up almost a third of the entire PTA budget and is added to the general PTA fund. This funds enrichment classes such as chess and dance, professional development for teachers, our library, and much, much more.
What is a “Silent Auction”?
Silent auctions are auctions held without an auctioneer. Using your smart phone or computer as a bidding device, you place bids on items. When the silent auction ends, the highest bid per item wins! There is a starting bid with set increments for each item. The silent auction will open for bidding one month before the event. Browse our auction online to preview the items we have received to date (and check back daily for new ones)!
What is the “Live Auction”?
The live auction is the highlight of the Gala event! A Live Auction is held by a professional auctioneer. The items are usually more expensive, including special events, trips, unique behind-the-scenes opportunities, or other exceptional items. To bid on an item in the Live Auction, all you have to do is hold up your bidder number, which will be imprinted on the back of your Auction Catalog.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets will be available online on this website and include food and beverages. If you experience any issue with the online purchasing process, just reach out or let a PTA EB member know (at pick up / drop off, for instance).
What types of items are donated for Auction?
Items typically include: dining gift certificates, health & beauty products and services, travel tickets and accommodations, entertainment opportunities, special events (like dinner in your home cooked by a fabulous chef), sporting event tickets and sports memorabilia, kids' items, and fashion products and services.
Can I just leave my donation item at the school?
Please don’t. There are many items to account for and it is imperative that each item be submitted with a completed donation form. We can’t help but take this opportunity to encourage you to complete our online donation form. It is super easy and takes minutes to complete. If have any questions about making a donation, please contact us at [email protected].
Should I go out and buy items if I don’t have anything to donate?
We don’t recommend that. Auction items do not generally sell above their retail price. If you do not have an item to donate and still want to help, please consider volunteering, or donating to our Bridge the Gap campaign instead.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, the value of the items that you donate is tax deductible.
What types of items can I bid on?
The auction has something for everyone, no matter what your budget or where your interests lie. What’s more, you can get great gifts for your friends and family. Make sure to invite your friends and family to browse our online catalog so they can bid too! Both silent and live auction items will be posted online. Smart bidders, peruse this list carefully and come to the Auction with a plan!
How and when do I pay for auction items?
Once the silent and live auctions have closed, all bids are tallied and the highest bidder wins. Payments will automatically be charged to the winning bidder’s credit card that they entered upon registration online. This is by far the easiest and most secure way to pay for your winnings.
Are my purchases tax deductible?
Only the amount above retail value that you pay for an item is tax deductible.
How do I pick up my Auction items?
After both the silent and live auctions have closed, all bids will be tallied to determine the items you’ve won. Items will be available for pick-up after the Gala event. A schedule will be posted when the online auction closes.
How can I help?
Our collective efforts have a huge impact on the quality of our children’s education. We need participation from the full parent body in order to make the Gala evening a success. Your help makes all the difference on every level possible – as a donor, underwriter, volunteer and/or bidder. Volunteer opportunities exist for all skill levels and time commitments.
What does the PTA do with the money it raises?
The monies raised from the Gala make up almost a third of the entire PTA budget and is added to the general PTA fund. This funds enrichment classes such as chess and dance, professional development for teachers, our library, and much, much more.
What is a “Silent Auction”?
Silent auctions are auctions held without an auctioneer. Using your smart phone or computer as a bidding device, you place bids on items. When the silent auction ends, the highest bid per item wins! There is a starting bid with set increments for each item. The silent auction will open for bidding one month before the event. Browse our auction online to preview the items we have received to date (and check back daily for new ones)!
What is the “Live Auction”?
The live auction is the highlight of the Gala event! A Live Auction is held by a professional auctioneer. The items are usually more expensive, including special events, trips, unique behind-the-scenes opportunities, or other exceptional items. To bid on an item in the Live Auction, all you have to do is hold up your bidder number, which will be imprinted on the back of your Auction Catalog.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets will be available online on this website and include food and beverages. If you experience any issue with the online purchasing process, just reach out or let a PTA EB member know (at pick up / drop off, for instance).
What types of items are donated for Auction?
Items typically include: dining gift certificates, health & beauty products and services, travel tickets and accommodations, entertainment opportunities, special events (like dinner in your home cooked by a fabulous chef), sporting event tickets and sports memorabilia, kids' items, and fashion products and services.
Can I just leave my donation item at the school?
Please don’t. There are many items to account for and it is imperative that each item be submitted with a completed donation form. We can’t help but take this opportunity to encourage you to complete our online donation form. It is super easy and takes minutes to complete. If have any questions about making a donation, please contact us at [email protected].
Should I go out and buy items if I don’t have anything to donate?
We don’t recommend that. Auction items do not generally sell above their retail price. If you do not have an item to donate and still want to help, please consider volunteering, or donating to our Bridge the Gap campaign instead.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, the value of the items that you donate is tax deductible.
What types of items can I bid on?
The auction has something for everyone, no matter what your budget or where your interests lie. What’s more, you can get great gifts for your friends and family. Make sure to invite your friends and family to browse our online catalog so they can bid too! Both silent and live auction items will be posted online. Smart bidders, peruse this list carefully and come to the Auction with a plan!
How and when do I pay for auction items?
Once the silent and live auctions have closed, all bids are tallied and the highest bidder wins. Payments will automatically be charged to the winning bidder’s credit card that they entered upon registration online. This is by far the easiest and most secure way to pay for your winnings.
Are my purchases tax deductible?
Only the amount above retail value that you pay for an item is tax deductible.
How do I pick up my Auction items?
After both the silent and live auctions have closed, all bids will be tallied to determine the items you’ve won. Items will be available for pick-up after the Gala event. A schedule will be posted when the online auction closes.