2010 Covington Auction Night

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 6-10pm dancing until 11pm
Loc: Cabana Hotel 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Get Ready For .... A Night of Good Fortune!

Don't miss the 2010 Covington Auction! Join Covington parents, teachers and staff for A Night of Good Fortune! Each year the Covington community comes together for a fun-filled night of dinner and dancing, all for a good cause. We are counting on the support of the entire Covington community to raise $60,000 to help fund critical academic and enrichment programs for the current school year. Donations from families are warmly welcomed and needed to make the event a success. The Covington Auction is an adult-only event.

What is the Covington Auction?

The Covington auction is the school's biggest fundraiser and community building event. Donations from Covington teachers, staff, families, and local businesses are sold at silent and live auctions and all proceeds benefit the school. Items for sale include getaways and theme parties hosted by Covington parents; special experiences with the principal, teachers and staff; and goods and services offered by local merchants. Donations from families and teachers are the bestselling items and we rely on them to make the event a success.

Here's the timeline for auction night:

6:00-7:30pm Check-in and Silent Auction (cash bar open and appetizers served)
7:30-8:30pm Dinner
8:30-10:00pm Entertainment and Live Auction
10:00-11:00pm Dancing

What are Covington PTA funds used for?

Money raised by the Covington PTA is used at Covington to fund:

• Educational supplies and instructional materials for academic programs and the library;
• Enrichment programs, including Los Altos Art Docents, music and PE; and
• Capital improvements, including technology in the classroom and computer lab.

We need your help to ensure that Covington continues to be one of the best schools and communities in the state.

How do I participate?

There are many ways you can help. Donations from families are warmly welcomed and needed to make the event a success. Our goal is to achieve 100% parent participation in the auction. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Join an auction committee (Sign up for committee volunteers online)
• Donate an item (download Donation Form)
• Make a cash donation (download Donation Form)
• Place an ad in the auction catalog to thank your teacher(s) and Scout/Troup Leaders. Ad rates are very reasonable! (download Ad Rate Sheet and Advertising Agreement)
• Attend the auction and bid. Tickets will be sold starting in late January.
• Talk to your employer about charitable gift matching.
• Brainstorm with friends and neighbors to create one-of-a-kind experiences to sell at the auction.

Your gift, no matter how big or small, will make a big difference. All donations are tax deductible. Covington is a registered non-profit organization with tax ID #36-4532532.

The donation deadline is Friday, February 19, 2010.

Next Steps

• Complete the auction donation form (download Donation Form). Please drop off your form no later than February 19, 2010 in the auction box in the main office. During the week of February 15, 2010, you may drop off donation forms at Diana Ekstrand or Jenny Williams' houses.
• Buy your auction tickets starting in late January. A school-wide Evite will be sent and through this invitation, you may buy auction tickets, make meal and seating requests, and buy Teacher for a Day drawing tickets.
• Book your babysitter now!
• Come to the auction on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
• Can't attend the auction? Consider buying Teacher For a Day tickets or making a cash donation.

Need more information?

Contact Diana Ekstrand (diana.ekstrand@comcast.net) or Jenny Williams (jendust@comcast.net).