2025 Auction: Memories & Dreams:

       Reliving Vacations of Your Past; Fantasizing about Vacations of Your Future

• Live Auction Party, Saturday, May 31 in the sanctuary.  

           Doors open at  5:30 p.m.   Live auction ends at 9:30 p.m. (or thereabouts!)

           Hors d’oeuvres buffet open from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

           Live Auction begins @ 7 p.m.  NOTE: Only in-person bids are accepted at the Live Auction.  (If you can’t attend, arrange for someone else to bid for you.)

• Online Auction active for bidding May 19 – May 28

Printable Auction Donation Form available HERE

Paper donation forms are also available in the back of the sanctuary.

 Every object, event or service in our online and live auction is donated by members and friends.  

Not sure what to donate to the auction? The back of the donation form has a list of many objects and events popular at past auctions.

The auction team needs a donation form and a digital photo by April 13 (and sooner if possible!) for each donation. This information is essential so they can compile the catalog and set up the auction software.

Both the online and live auctions are great sources for gifts (for others or your- self !) and enjoyable events to fill your calendar: parties, dinners, guided tours, specialty foods, services, lessons, hand-made items, themed gift baskets, and so much more.

Admission:  $15 if paid by May 4.  $25 after May 4 and at the door. 

Early Bird Auction “Tickets” available starting April 13. 

Paid admission required for online & live auction bidding. 

(If you can’t attend in person, arrange for someone else to bid for you.)

One admission fee admits you to both auctions and includes refreshments at the live auction.

See Bill Pfoutz at church  or mail your check payable to UUCH, with “auction” in memo line, to the church, attention: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

What happens at the live auction?

An evening of fun, food, fellowship, and fundraising.

The auction is our largest fundraiser, but it’s also filled with fun and fellowship. So browse and bid at the online auction and then attend the live auction party for delicious hors d’ouvres, lively music, costumes, door prizes, and entertainment.

The 2025 auction theme is Memories & Dreams: Past Vacations & Fantasies of Future Ones, which you’ll see reflected in the costumes, music, decorations, and activities.  

Themed costumes are optional but encouraged with prizes for the best outfits. Not sure what to wear?  Spend a few pleasant hours looking at vacation photos and reliving the trips that delighted and restored you. What clothes were in your valise? Or think of all the places you’d love to visit. What are you wearing in those daydreams? Maybe you already have a vacation outfit in the attic or back of your closet.

The auction admission charge covers live auction refreshments: upscale hors d’oeuvres during the first hour, snacks during the live auction, drinks, and desserts at the auction close. Seating is limited so purchase your seat early and save money too!

See Bill Pfoutz at church  or mail your check payable to UUCH, to the church, attention: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

The main entertainment is the competitive bidding in the live auction—with humorous ad libs by our skilled auctioneer Ron Rose and his companion-in-comedy, Joanne Rose. Their quick humor elicits laughs and smiles throughout the live auction.   The quieter pleasures of the online auction are finding treasures there and outbidding your UU friends.Both auctions will overflow with items for gift-giving or for yourself.

So much to bid on:    Previous live auctions featured appealing items and events, such as gift baskets for cooks, wine lovers, healthy living, and doggie friends; a picnic in the park; a guided Civil War history tour; a nature walk at UUCH; handmade jewelry; professional music performances; a storytelling workshop; a Christmas party; handyperson services; a mystery party; fiber craft lessons; homemade desserts; many specialty dinners; and a family movie night.  The online auction typically has smaller items, with something for every interest and budget: games and toys; kitchen gadgets, tools, houseplants, and small gift baskets. But with the increased capacity available with an online auction, we’ll have room for so much more.

The special auction website opens May 11 to preview online and live auction items. (Preview is available without admission fee.) A paper auction catalog will be available at church and onthis UUCH website by May 11. 

Check out both so you can see all the bounty available in the online auction May 19-May 28)  and the May 31 live auction party ––– and mark the ones you want.

How you can participate:

• Get competitive in the online auction. Come to the May 31 Live Auction Party.  And bid generously and often. The auction profits help support the current year’s operating expenses and keeps the activities and programs you enjoy available.   Personal checks, credit cards, PayPal, and cash are all accepted during check out at the auction.

• Donate events, services or items. Everything in the auction is donated by UUCH members and friends. Donation forms are available in the back of the sanctuary or you can access a printable PDF form above..

 If you don’t know what to offer, the back of the donation form has many suggestions. (Parties, dinners and other events, services, and hand-made items are always popular.)

 The auction committee needs your donation forms by April 13   (and sooner if possible!) to compile the catalog and set up the special auction software.

• Buy your admission  early.   ($15 by May 4.  $25 after May 4 and at the door).  Sanctuary space is finite so be sure you can get in.  And knowing how many will attend the live auction helps us set up sufficient tables and chairs and plan refreshment quantities more accurately to avoid running out or wasting food. And don’t forget  the admission charge lets you enjoy both auctions plus all the refreshments on May 31.)

Buy your tickets at church from Bill Pfoutz or mail your check  (payable to UUCH with auction in memo line) to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown, att: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

For more information, email auction@uuhagerstownmd.org