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Goods & Services Auction

and Chili Cookoff

The Chili Cook-off & Auction is coming back—and it’s better than ever! Save the date: January 27, 2024. TASTE some of the region’s best chili! BID on terrific items and experiences! And HEAT up a cold January evening in the company of friends, new and old. To volunteer or ask a question email auction@uuse.org.

an image of a hot chili pepper, the mascot of the chili cook-off

Online Silent Auction

Monday, January 15, 8 AM through Friday, January 26, 10 PM at fundraiser.bid/uubid. You can go there now to REGISTER to participate in the auction.

 

Live Event

Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse


The Chili Cook-Off is Back!

Enjoy a free, delicious chili dinner with vibrant beloved community, including beer & wine, cornbread, salad and dessert, plus pizza for those who don’t eat chili. Free!


Exclusive Live Event Items

Places at dinners and activities offered by members and the fabulous live auction items like Rev. Josh’s sermon will only be available at the live event. You will be able to preview all of these offerings under the “Live Events” tab at fundraiser.bid/uubid.

If you cannot go to the live event but want to bid on something, just ask a friend! Your proxy can get your bidder number from us at the registration table at the live event (or register you if you haven’t already) and your bill will go to directly to you.


For the Kids

There will be a Kids Bid Table with items for kids ONLY to bid on. There will also be fun activities and childcare available!


Raffle Basket Drawing

The winners of the raffle baskets will be drawn at the Live Event, too. You do not need to be present to win. We’ll contact you!


Lend a Hand!

The Auction Committee would greatly appreciate an hour of your time to help this event run smoothly! We need help with set up, clean up and during the event. Contact auction@uuse.org if you can take a shift.

The auction is one of our biggest fundraisers. It’s important to our congregation. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

How You Can Help

Donate!

What can you contribute to auction off at this extraordinary event? Could you teach, repair, entertain, bake? Share your talent in other ways? We’ll have the ever-popular dinners, group activities, lessons, services and select items that need a new home. Contact your favorite merchants to ask for donations. If you love a place, others will, too. Stop by our table after services or email auction@uuse.org.

Email your donation details to auction@uuse.org or complete our form (2024 Auction Donation) by January 10, sooner is better.

Include:

• a thorough description

• value of the item or service

• time and date for any events (setting this in advance is a good idea!)

• the number of places or offerings

• photos: We can include several photos of each item. Use a plain background for best

results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible.

• If you have a firm minimum bid requirement, please let us know. In general, we open bidding at 1/3 to 1/2 of the item’s value to promote active bidding.


We will contact you about the timing to drop off your items. Space is very tight, so please don’t drop anything off until we ask.


Raffle Baskets

We are asking committees and small groups to compile and donate a themed basket for the Basket Raffle at the auction, but individuals are welcome to donate a basket, too. We will display the baskets in the lobby, and sell advance tickets for them, on Sunday, January 14 and 21. The drawing will be at the live event on Saturday, January 27.


Timeline

By Jan. 1: Claim your theme! There’s a 10-basket limit and we want them all to be different.

Email auction@uuse.org. By January 9: Submit the description of your basket and its contents to auction@uuse.org.


Write up a fun description that we can post on the auction site and estimate the value. We can include several photos in the posting, so feel free to take pictures of the contents individually or in small groups. Use a plain background for best results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible.


January 9-11: Drop the basket off at the meetinghouse. We can help package it if you need. We find that wrapping it in plastic is neither desirable nor necessary!

What to include?

Use your imagination! The value should


Enter the Chili Cook-Off!

Who makes the best chili? Enter your tried and true family recipe or a new experiment you’ve been wanting to try. Vegan, vegetarian and with meat—all are welcome! Bragging rights and a beautiful UUSE Chili Cook-Off Apron are up for grabs for the winners! Entry is limited, so contact auction@uuse.org ASAP to reserve your spot. Plan on making a crock pot full. You will receive detailed instructions before the event.


Bid High and Often!

Online Silent Auction

Monday, Jan. 15 – Friday, Jan. 26, at fundraiser.bid/uubid. Share the link with your friends!


Live Event

Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse

 

The Auction Committee—

Robin Byrne, Susan Gabriele, Jennifer Klee, Chris Larson, Stan McMillen & Nancy Pappas 

Questions? Email auction@uuse.org!

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