Auction
UUCH Auction: Fundraising Can Be Fun
New for 2026
If you’ve never attended a UUCH auction, check out the Auction Overview section too.
The 2026 auction theme is A Night at the Movies.
Celebrate your passion for films and also help support UUCH. Themed costumes are optional at the live auction but those who do, may win prizes for the best outfits. Here’s your opportunity to cosplay a favorite actor, movie character, director or anything else movie-related.
Online auction active from June 2 (starts 9 a.m.) through June 9 (ends 9 p.m.)
Live Auction Party, Saturday, June 13 in the sanctuary 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (or so) Hors d’oeuvres 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The special auction website opens May 26 to preview both online and live auction items with photos and descriptions.
No ticket needed for preview but paid admission required to bid in the online and live auctions. Printed catalogs also available in the sanctuary and on this website.
Admission “Tickets” go on sale April 26.
Save Money with $15 Early Bird admission through May 24. $25 after May 24 & at the door
Pay UUCH treasurer Bill Pfoutz at church or mail your check payable to UUCH (with auction in the memo line to UUCH, att: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
The auction admission give you access to both the online and live auctions plus includes all refreshments at the live auction:
upscale hors d’oeuvres during the first hour, snacks during the live auction, drinks, and desserts at the auction close.
Donations needed for the auction. Donation forms
Auction donation forms are available in the back of the sanctuary. Or click on the link above and print the form, add the information, and mail or bring the form to the church. Deadline for donations is April 19.
Not sure what to donate to the auction?
The donation form has a long list of things and events popular in past auctions. The auction team needs a donation form and a digital photo for each donation by April 19 (and sooner if possible!). This information is essential so they can compile the catalog and set up the auction software.
QUESTIONS? Contact the auction coordinator, Deb Russell. auction@uuhagerstownmd.org
UUCH Auction Overview
More details about the UUCH auction and ways to participate
Our auction has two parts:
• On-Line Auction of smaller items
Entirely online auction (much like eBay) active for a week before the live auction.
The online auction typically has something for every interest and budget: games and toys; books, kitchen gadgets, an individual gift cards for area businesses
• Live Auction with larger items and events to bid on.
Live auction only happens in person. No online option for bidding in live auction.
Previous live auctions featured appealing items and events, such as gift baskets for cooks, wine lovers, healthy living, and doggie friends; a holiday decoration workshop for children, 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; handy person services; a mystery party; fiber craft lessons; homemade desserts; many specialty dinners; and a movie night.
The special auction website opens early to preview online and live auction items. (Preview is available without admission fee.)
A paper auction catalog is available at church and on this UUCH website 2-3 weeks before the live auction.
One admission charge lets you participate in both auctions and includes all refreshments at the live auction:
upscale hors d’oeuvres during the first hour, snacks during the live auction, drinks, and desserts at the auction close.
What happens in the auction?
• The live auction is an evening of fun, food, fellowship, and fundraising.
The live auction is not a family event and is limited to adults. However, the auction always includes family-friendly events and objects. For example, past auctions have included collections of children’s books, a holiday ornament decorating party, puzzles and games, and some intergenerational events like a nature tour of our church property.)
The main entertainment at the live auction is the competitive bidding—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 overflow with items for gift-giving or for yourself.
• Each auction has a theme which is reflected in the costumes, music, decorations, and activities.
Themed costumes are optional but encouraged with prizes for the best outfits. Maybe you already have an auction outfit in the attic or back of your closet.
How you can participate:
• Get competitive in the online auction. Come to the Live Auction Party. And bid generously and often.
The auction profits help support the current year’s operating expenses and helps keep 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 Donation forms are available beginning in March in the back of the sanctuary and as a printable PDF form available on this page 1-2 months before the live auction.
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 donation forms by the date on the form (and sooner if possible!) to compile the catalog and set up the special auction software. They also need a digital photo of each donation for special auction website.
• Buy your admission early.
Sanctuary space is finite so be sure you can get in. And knowing how many will attend the live auction helps the auction team 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 at the live auction.
Buy your tickets at church 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