Silent Auction to Benefit the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie's Weekday Nursery School

To help raise funds for the Reformed Church's Weekday Nursery School, two Silent Auctions were held at the Reformed Church in 2007 and 2009. The Silent Auction was the brainchild of then Administyrator Mrs. Sarah Orlando and the administration staff of the Weekday Nursery School, who were seeking an exciting, novel way to benefit the children of the Weekday Nursery School. The inaugural Auction was held April 13, 2007, and was an instant success, raising more than $3,000 for the Weekday Nursery School scholarship fund. The follow-up Auction was held on April 3, 2009.

A variety of items were available at the auctions, included gift certificates to Mohonk Mountain House and local spas, free artist lessons, sports collectables donated by the Dragon's Den, gift baskets, handcrafts, and more. A jewelry box, handcrafted by the Reformed Church's own George Armstrong, was the subject of the greatest bidding at the 2007 Auction.

How does a auction work? Bidders are given a number, and are encouraged to examine the variety of items available for bid. Next to each item is a bidding sheet, where interested bidders write their auction number and the price they wish to bid for the item. If someone has already bid for an item that catches your eye, you are free to offer a countering bid. If someone outbids you for an item that catches your eye, you are free to submit a new, higher bid for the item.

Refreshments were served at both Silent Auctions, and attendees of the 2007 Silent Auction were entertained by the a capella music of Vassar College's Night Owls and classically inspired music by the St. John's String Ensemble.