After a remarkably successful Halloween-themed Dinner Auction in October 2019, our Dinner Auction Team reserved a venue and began to plan for the next one. Then 2020 arrived and with it the corona virus. Initially we thought everything would be settled by October and we could hold the event as usual. But it became clear very quickly that COVID-19 was not going away and restrictions on large gatherings would be in place for the unforeseeable future.
Despite the virus, Habitat needs money to build homes! As our meetings became virtual, on Zoom, we struggled with what to do. What were other organizations doing? What should we do? After much discussion we decided the event would not be a dinner, but a virtual online raffle.
Your invitation will be in the form of a letter describing in detail the online event and other ways you can support Habitat. We are asking that you consider a donation (totally tax deductible) of at least the amount of a ticket- $60 or more and then check out the raffle items online. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $10 each and if you purchase 10 tickets you are automatically entered in a bonus raffle for a $500 VISA gift card!
We have fewer baskets and items this year and all will be pictured and described in detail. Everything has a value of at least $150 and many are worth much, much more. Items will be appearing online at http://hfh-wc-auction.square.site and new things will be added each week until the raffle opens. On 9/28 the website will be live and at 8 am on October 12 thru 8 am on October 24 you will be able to purchase raffle tickets for the items. A live-streamed event will announce the $500 winner and some other exciting news at 4 pm via zoom (invitation to come).
COVID-19 has forced all of us to do things differently. This year’s event will be different! We will miss seeing all our wonderful Habitat supporters in person and having an event together, but we all must stay healthy. How successful will this year’s event be? That is up to YOU. Do not let COVID-19 stop Habitat’s vision of affordable housing for all families.
Please check out our re-envisioned event online and participate in the fun!
Jane Drawbaugh and the Dinner Auction Team
