This year’s 47th Annual Service Auction was an incredible success, thanks to the kindness, creativity, and generosity of our wonderful community. With the festive theme of “Friendsgiving,” the auction brought us all together to celebrate friendship, community, and the spirit of giving. We’re thrilled to report that, together, we raised over $12,000 to support our church’s ongoing work and programs!

Generosity as one of our Values

Generosity is one of the core values that defines us as a Unitarian Universalist community. It’s woven into the fabric of who we are and how we strive to be in the world. Generosity means more than just giving financially; it is a spirit of openness, kindness, and mutual support that we bring into our relationships, our community, and our outreach efforts. We believe that by sharing our time, talents, and resources, we can build a stronger, more compassionate world. Through our actions and commitments, we practice generosity as a way to express our gratitude for the abundance we find in connection with one another. In doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also uplift and inspire those around us, creating a ripple effect of goodwill and positive change. Our Annual Service Auction gives us a major opportunity to practice generosity.

Highlights of the Friendsgiving Auction

Our Friendsgiving-themed event was a warm and welcoming celebration, creating the perfect atmosphere for bidding on a variety of fantastic items. Here are some of the highlights:

• Total Raised: With your support, we reached an incredible fundraising milestone of over $12,000!
• Donors and Winners: A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our 31 donors who contributed unique and creative items and to our 53 winning bidders who took home a piece of our community’s generosity and talent.
• Items for Bidding: We had a remarkable 123 items available, giving everyone something exciting to bid on. From one-of-a-kind experiences to hand-crafted goods, there was truly something for everyone.
• Delicious Food: We has a delicious spread of Thanksgiving-themed treats that brought everyone together in the true spirit of the season. Every dish was crafted with care and full of comforting flavors. And of course, we ended on a sweet note with classic pumpkin and apple pies that were an absolute hit!
• Jokes Galore: Our very own Joke Teller, Justine Backus, kept the crowd laughing all night with their quick wit and hilarious jokes, adding a fun twist to the auction. For just $2 or $5, bidders could buy a joke from Justine, who delivered each punchline with perfect timing and plenty of charm. Their humor lightened the bidding process and brought even more joy to the evening, making their jokes a memorable highlight of our Friendsgiving event!

Spaces Still Available

The excitement isn’t over yet! There are still a few spots open for some of our auction experiences and silent auction items, so if you missed the main event, you still have a chance to participate. Please reach out to Gail deSomer gaildesomer@yahoo.com for more information on how to secure one of the remaining spaces.

Thank You for Your Support!

Our Friendsgiving auction wouldn’t have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of everyone involved. Your generosity and dedication make it possible for our UU community to continue thriving and offering support to one another and to the world. Thank you to each and every one of you for making this event such a success. Here’s to many more wonderful memories and meaningful connections!