Guests will also have the opportunity to buy a $25 glass of champagne or wine for the chance to win a 14.83 carat multi-colored sapphire and gold bracelet, by R&I Patton valued at $7,000.
Get ready for a night of action and excitement at the 27th Annual Gifft Hill School Auction set for Saturday, March 16, at the Westin Resort and Villas.
This year’s theme is “Up, Up and Away,” which evokes the sunny outlook at GHS, explained Molly Murrill, GHS’ assistant to the development director.
“It’s about taking the school to new heights and appreciating where we’ve come from and where we’re going,” said Murrill.
The night kicks off with a silent auction and cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Guests will have a chance to browse work by featured artists Claudia Brookes, Janet Cook Rutnik, Jan Etre, Lisa Etre, Sandra Loeffler, Nicole Morrisette, Ron Keele, Avelino Samuel, Shira Sofer and Gail Van de Bogurt.
“We’re featuring wood, pottery, jewelry, glassblowing, painting and more,” said Murrill.
Silent auction items include stays at Westin Resorts in Chicago and Savannah, local boating trips, gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, landscaping services and much more, Murrill added.
Guests will also have the opportunity to buy a $25 glass of champagne or wine for the chance to win a 14.83 carat multi-colored sapphire and gold bracelet, by R&I Patton valued at $7,000.
Dinner and the live auction will begin at 7:45 p.m. and the professional husband and wife team of Darron and Hope Meares will be back this year.
“This is the fourth year that Darron and Hope Meares of Meares Auction Group will be here leading our auction,” said Murrill. “They are always so much fun and they really get everyone excited. We’re really happy that they are coming back again.”
Before the live bidding begins, however, it is Golden Ticket time, Murrill explained.
“Our Golden Ticket is back again this year,” she said. “Tickets are $100 and we only sell 200 tickets. The winner gets to pick one of 25 trips up for bid and then we take that item off the live auction list.”
This year the Golden Ticket winner can choose to attend two days at The Masters, catch a Final Four game of the NCAA Tournament or even watch the Kentucky Derby.
“You don’t have to be present to win,” said Murrill. “If you buy your ticket in advance, you tell us which prize you’d like so we know. If you are there, we’ll call your name and you tell us which prize you want.”
The popular Wall of Wine game is back again this year as well. Guests can buy a blinky light for $50 which enters them into the “Heads or Tails” game and the last person standing takes home the 100 bottle Wall of Wine.
The night will also feature two student guest speakers, Mariah Scheer and Careem Albert, as well as a video presentation by Steve Simonsen, which is always moving and often brings the crowd to tears.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the school’s scholarship fund, Murrill added.
“With over 60 percent of our student body using scholarship funds, this is a very important event for Gifft Hill School,” said Murrill. “Our school is very important to the island and this is the most important fundraiser that we have each year. It’s a great time and it’s a great cause.”
After the final items are sold, the crowd will move over to La Plancha del Mar at Mongoose Junction for an after party, which is open to the public. There is a suggested donation to enter, which will enter one into a raffle for the chance to win boat trips and more. Music at the after party will be provided by DJ LS1.
There are still some tickets available for the 27th Annual GHS Auction. Tickets are $125 each or buy a table of 10 for $1,000. Silent and live auction items are online for bidding and viewing at http://www.giffthillschool.org/auction.html. There are new packages and items are added daily.
For more information about the 27th Annual GHS Auction, or to buy tickets, call 776-1730.
