Annual Auction
Annual Auction report
Our annual auction was an amazing success & a lot of fun. We earned $52,000, an all-time high & $6,000 more than last year. We collectively donated $17,000 towards the Fund-A-Need, which met our goal to replace the dishwasher & reconfigure the surrounding space to accommodate it.
The Honoree Tie raised $8,700, in honor of Grant Gladow.
The auction committee would like to thank the many generous donors and bidders who made this possible, as well as our terrific volunteers.
Mark your calendars, grab your safari gear, and get ready for a wildly fun afternoon—all in support of a great cause!
Auction Information
- Online Auction: Starts Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 PM and ends Sunday, April 27 at 1:00 PM.
- Live Auction: Takes place Sunday, April 27 at 12:30 PM at EUUC.
For more information, including help and how-to guides, please go directly to the auction website located at: https://fundraiser.bid/EUUC2025.
Donations Needed
Everyone has something valuable to offer! Whether it’s cooking a meal, baking desserts, or hosting a dinner party, homemade experiences are always a hit. Those with repair skills can donate handyperson services, while others may offer weeding, hauling, or yard work.
Looking for inspiration? Sunset cruises, weekend getaways, handcrafted items, and expert-led experiences—like birdwatching tours or tech help—are all great auction items. Gift certificates, themed baskets, or event-hosting (movie nights, dance lessons, or cooking demos) are also fantastic contributions.
For donation ideas, check out the Online Auction and Live Auction catalogs from 2024.
Every donation—big or small—adds value and helps make our auction a success. Thank you for sharing your talents and generosity!
To donate an item or event, please use the form on the EUUC Auctria auction website. Click the Donate an Item tab at the top of the page.
Auction Donations Deadline: Thursday April 17, 2025.
Fund-A-Need
Help Us Upgrade Our Kitchen with a Commercial Dishwasher!
Our kitchen is the heart of our community, serving countless meals and helping bring people together. But behind the scenes, our dish washing setup is outdated, inefficient, and physically demanding for our volunteers. That’s why we need your help to install a commercial dishwasher with a built-in sanitizer—a game-changing upgrade that will improve efficiency, accessibility, and hygiene.
“On two occasions, in the middle of hectic potluck cleanup, the dishwasher overflowed uncontrollably onto the kitchen floor. I have attempted to repair it, but the problem could recur at any time.” – Charley Beltman
Why We Need Your Support
Not only will your support help ease Charley’s anxiety about the next dishwasher disaster, but here are the key reasons we really need your financial help:
- Improved Efficiency – This high-powered dishwasher will dramatically speed up dish turnaround, keeping our kitchen running smoothly.
- Accessibility Matters – The current setup requires heavy lifting, which is challenging for some volunteers. A new layout will provide accessible, user-friendly options.
- Significant Kitchen Revamp – Installing this dishwasher means rebuilding counter tops, cabinets, and sink space to ensure a proper fit and smooth workflow.
Fundraising Goal: $15,000 – This includes the dishwasher, construction work, and all necessary upgrades.
Every contribution brings us closer to making this critical improvement a reality. Raise your paddle and help us build a better kitchen for everyone!
Honoree Tie Recipient
EUUC has a long tradition of gifting a “loud tie” to a member of the congregation who is required to wear it to at least one Sunday service. The tie is in honor of one of our founding members, Stewart Chapman, who wore a loud tie himself. He was a wonderful generous man who helped our congregation thrive in many ways. We honor a member who follows in his footsteps, giving of themselves to make our congregation the wonderful place that it is.
We make contributions to EUUC toward the honoree during the auction each year. Please include a contribution to the Honoree Tie in your auction bidding!
Note: If you’re coming to the live auction, please wait to make your donation in person at that time.
Winner Announcement: Grant Gladow!
We are thrilled to honor Grant Gladow as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Honoree Tie Award! For nearly 30 years, Grant has been an invaluable and dedicated member of EUUC, continually making a positive impact on our community.
From the very beginning, Grant has selflessly shared his time and talents, teaching religious exploration classes, serving on the Board of Trustees, the Stewardship Team, and the DRE Search Committee. Grant has also contributed to countless events, from art shows to rummage sales to auctions, always lending a helping hand. For the past 10 years, Grant has been a cornerstone of our Car Camp team, providing safe parking for those experiencing homelessness, and has offered their expertise as a consultant to other organizations and municipalities looking to start their own Car Camps.
Additionally, Grant has been a dedicated volunteer for our Neighbors in Need breakfast program and has served as a leader of the Committee on Ministry. He is also a valued member of the COVID Advisory Task Force. Grant’s willingness to assist with facilities projects alongside our Charley Beltman further reflects his commitment to the well-being of our congregation.
We are proud to recognize Grant at our in-person live auction on April 27, where we will celebrate his incredible contributions. If you plan to attend, we encourage you to make your contribution to the Honoree Tie at that time. If not, please consider donating generously here online. All funds raised will support the continued work of our congregation in Grant’s honor.
Thank you, Grant, for your unwavering dedication and service!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a first-time auction attendee? Experienced with auctions but want a refresher? Need clarification about a few things? Our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section covers the basics. If you need more information though, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Q: What games and activities will be available at the auction?
A: We have a few fun games and activities planned:
- Raffle: Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at a table in the Narthex before the auction starts. You can buy as many as you’d like using your bidder (paddle) number, which you receive upon arrival. The raffle winner is drawn during the live auction and wins a prize.
- Heads & Tails Game: Purchase 3 necklaces for $10 in the Narthex before the auction starts. During the game, participants choose “heads” or “tails” by placing their hands on their head or behind their back. The auctioneer flips a coin, and those who guessed incorrectly forfeit a necklace. This continues until one person remains and wins the prize.
- Gift Card Frenzy: Local businesses donate gift cards of varying amounts, which are auctioned off in a fast-paced manner. Stay alert to win the ones you want!
Q: What is the Dessert Dash?
A: The dessert dash is a fun way to raise money and enjoy delicious desserts made by EUUC bakers. Here’s how it works:
- An array of delicious desserts will be on display.
- Your table will receive a bidding sheet where you can pool your contributions as a group.
- Once all the bids are collected, the auctioneer will announce the winning order—starting with the highest bid. A person or two from your table chooses the dessert your table will share.
Q: What is “Raise the Paddle” and what are its purposes?
A: “Raise the Paddle” is a way to make donations during the auction. The auctioneer asks attendees to raise their bid cards at the donation level that suits them. There are two purposes for this:
- Honoree Tie: This tradition honors a member of the congregation who has made significant contributions over the years. The honoree receives a “loud tie” in honor of Stewart Chapman, a founding member known for his generosity. Donations go to EUUC in honor of the recipient, who must wear the tie to church at least once before the next auction.
- Fund-A-Need: Each year, the Board of Trustees selects a specific project for the congregation. Past projects have included a new playground, a remodeled dais, and new furniture. This year’s project is to upgrade the kitchen with a new commercial dishwasher.
Q: How can I participate in the raffle and games?
A: You can purchase raffle tickets and game items in the Narthex before the auction starts. Use your bidder number for purchases; no cash is needed.
Questions? Contact Nancy Gladow, Auction Chair: auction@euuc.org.