Cornerstone Elementary Plans Silent Auction

silent auction is back this year. The auction, co-chaired by parents Julie Hodder and Ginger Votaw, is one of the Cornerstone Parent-Teacher Group’s largest fundraisers of the year. 

The free, fun-filled evening will run from 6-9 p.m. April 29 at the school. Registration will begin at 6 p.m.

Putting the event together requires the efforts of many volunteers, parents and local business owners, Hodder said.

“So many people have given their time and resources to make this event special ... but this year, the teachers, parents and students spent extra time creating additional priceless items from each classroom to auction that will really add a unique spin,” Hodder said.

The theme of the auction this year is “Lights, Camera, Auction." Each classroom was asked to create a themed basket, and families were asked to contribute to the basket items related to the theme. Many classrooms also have contributed personal, handmade and class project items.

Auction items include gardening equipment, spring cleaning gift certificates, weekends in Chicago, wine tastings in Traverse City, Florida vacations, Detroit Tigers tickets, bicycles and more. Mystery bags will be available for $25.

One of the highlights of the auction is an official Super Bowl football, autographed by Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers. All proceeds from the auction of the football will go to the First Steps program.

In addition to the silent auction, there will be a host of children's activities, including a puppet show by Mariah the Puppeteer, music and a children's raffle. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view student artwork in the school’s library.

"The silent auction is one of the premiere nights for Cornerstone," principal Craig McCalla said. "The activities for the students, snacks, mystery bags and the classroom and parent created baskets are amazing. The Cornerstone students will benefit greatly from all of our parent group's hard work."

The primary goal of the auction is to raise money to help fund Cornerstone's teacher grant program. Grants fund classroom activities such as Science Alive!, field trips, playground and grounds improvements and learning tools and activities for classrooms.

For more information about the silent auction or to make a donation, contact Votaw at gingerlynn1030@yahoo.com or Hodder at hodder.julie@gmail.com.