How to Auction your Services for Charity

[George Stolz]

My nephew is a member of the Windsor CO High School marching band. They were 3A champions this year and have been honored with the opportunity to march in the Presidential Inauguration parade in D.C.

(Obviously I have to mention do not take a political tangent with that. Regardless of your politics, the kids are excited and it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them.)

Each child essentially has to raise $1,500 to get there. That's the short story.

Therefore, there will be an auction dinner at the school to raise money for the kids. The food is donated, and my sister the caterer is donating her services to prepare the food.

My EC buddy has bit on my idea to auction his services at the auction - it sounds great, but I'm not quite sure exactly what to recommend. I was thinking of something along the lines of diners bidding on $200 worth of services from his company or a ceiling fan install, or something like that.

On his end, it would be helping my nephew and advertising his business at the same time.

Anybody ever try something like this?

 

[quogueelectric]

I am at the beckoned call of the local church and I have been known to sub as the Easter Bunny on Occasion.This is where I met Susan Lucci. I would never hesitate to donate my time for a good cause and this seems like one.However my drivetime to colorado would take me a few days at least. Nice tax deduction for a ski trip huh??

 

[Lcdrwalker]

There are two ways that I do it. There is an org. that I do work for. I bill them at my normal rates then write them a check for a donation. That way I have the check for tax purposes. For an auction, I donate a service call and an hours worth of labor. This doesn't get into too much money and I can do a fairly decent inspection in an hours time.

I don't know about everyone else but I feel blessed in that this profession has been good to me. I try to give back when I can.

 

[George Stolz]

For an auction, I donate a service call and an hours worth of labor. This doesn't get into too much money and I can do a fairly decent inspection in an hours time.

This is kind of what I was thinking.

So, when you do that, how do you present it at the auction? How do you write it up?

 

[Greg Swartz]

I am at the beckoned call of the local church and I have been known to sub as the Easter Bunny on Occasion.This is where I met Susan Lucci. I would never hesitate to donate my time for a good cause and this seems like one.However my drivetime to colorado would take me a few days at least. Nice tax deduction for a ski trip huh??

Hey, Cow,

Since you'll be up the road a few hours, would you mind stopping down and doing a Start / Stop switch at a car wash for me? :grin:
(Since you are doing charity and all...)

 

[cowboyjwc]

A couple of the guys do it here. Usually the winner buys a ceiling fan and the EC will come over and install it or maybe you can get someone to donate a fan and then the winner gets a fan and an install.

 

[bphgravity]

Our city holds an annual "local extreme home makeover" where local residents can apply to have their home remodeled free or at very low cost. The city than performs a fund raiser and material drive to see the project go through. On several occassions, contractors / supply houses have offered to give their service / materials for free or at significant price reductions. The program makes for good press and allows a contractor to present themselves in a feel-good manner to the public.

We have also coordinated several Habitat for Humanity projects which are also helpful and fun.

I decided a year ago to only give FREE CE courses to local electricians and contractors. Most of this occurs through my association with the IAEI, however I have also had a couple of completely free, no obligation courses of my own.

Its great to give back and is very rewarding...

 

[quogueelectric]

Hey, Cow,

Since you'll be up the road a few hours, would you mind stopping down and doing a Start / Stop switch at a car wash for me? :grin:
(Since you are doing charity and all...)

I sure will I will need a good car wash after the long drive through Kansas. I thought it was going to be forever even flying over Kansas and when I saw DIA I said to myself what the heck is that some kind of freaky missile silo??
What size benders should I bring?

 

[Greg Swartz]

I sure will I will need a good car wash after the long drive through Kansas. I thought it was going to be forever even flying over Kansas and when I saw DIA I said to myself what the heck is that some kind of freaky missile silo??
What size benders should I bring?

DIA is kinda weird... a bunch of my former workmates worked on it... they said that they had to climb to the top of the white spire, because the 105' lift would not reach over far enough.

3/4" should be fine, but I've got one for you! :grin:

 

[ceb58]

A couple of the guys do it here. Usually the winner buys a ceiling fan and the EC will come over and install it or maybe you can get someone to donate a fan and then the winner gets a fan and an install.

I did something like that at a silent auction. A local lighting show room donated two light fixtures, I placed my card with them saying free installation to the winner. I picked up a bunch of other work from these people but if I had not it was OK too.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I did something like that at a silent auction. A local lighting show room donated two light fixtures, I placed my card with them saying free installation to the winner. I picked up a bunch of other work from these people but if I had not it was OK too.

When you volunteer, you have to do it with the understanding that that time is gone forever and you will get nothing back from it. I do a lot of volunteer work and I do it because I want to and if and when I do get awards they all mean the same to me.

I coached an all star baseball team last year and was presented with a small plaque and my speech was simple. I've been given awards from the County Board of Supervisors, the City of Simi Valley, the Park District, the State Assembly, the County Supervisor, I've even been selected as Volunteer of the year, they all go up on the same wall and I consider them all special.

 

[iaov]

I am at the beck and call of my wifes church. I charge them at a reduced rate for new installations but I do all repairs for free.It has led to quite a bit of work for me though outside of the church.

 

[tonyou812]

I would love to donate my time for an animal shelter.

 

[cadpoint]

I am at the beck and call of my wifes church. I charge them at a reduced rate for new installations but I do all repairs for free.It has led to quite a bit of work for me though outside of the church.

Onc can't beat, banking with the Lord, the interest is infinite!