In light of a 10-person limit on public gatherings, and with an uncertain future ahead, organizers of the Blue and Gold scholarship fundraiser had to make a difficult decision. The annual dinner and …
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In light of a 10-person limit on public gatherings, and with an uncertain future ahead, organizers of the Blue and Gold scholarship fundraiser had to make a difficult decision. The annual dinner and oral auction this year has been canceled, in favor of a five-day online auction.
The auction will open through a link on the Wright City High School Scholarship Fund Facebook page, facebook.com/wchsblueandgold, from March 26 through March 30.
Organizers said they were planning for more than 400 donors and volunteers at the Wright City Lions Club. But with news coming in about COVID-19, Marcella Holiway, one of the organizers, said they made the difficult choice to cancel.
Blue and Gold provides scholarship funding for graduating Wright City High School students. Last year’s fundraiser brought in around $65,000.
While this year’s fundraising might take a hit, Holiway said she’s been encouraged by the response from the community.
“All of our advertisers have continued and said they’re happy with ads on Facebook. 85 percent of ticket holders told us to keep the money from ticket sales,” Holiway said. And ticket holders who got a refund told her they plan to use the money in the online auction instead.
Holiway said she’s also optimistic about a new opportunity that the online format presents. People who couldn’t come in person can now participate in the auction.
“We’re going to be reaching a new audience. Last year we had to turn down two or three tables (because of space),” Holiway. “It will hit a whole new group of people who haven’t been able to come in the past. We have alumni in California who have wanted to participate.”
Fellow organizer Kristin Beckmeyer said about 120 items will be in the online auction. They include things like Cardinals tickets, a vacation getaway, numerous donated items and naming rights for several Wright City athletic facilities.
Beckmeyer said she won’t be surprised if the auction this year has a lower collection, but that it’s important to continue it for the community.
“In spite of what’s going on right now, our expectations are nothing but keeping our community together,” Beckmeyer said.
She noted that anyone who wants to participate in the auction will have to register through the website where it’s been set up. The link can be found on the WCHSBlueAndGold Facebook page, or by going directly to https://events.readysetauction.com/wrightcitybluegoldscholarshipauc/2020.
