Silent Auction Delivers Loud Response

What started as a rebound from a tumultuous 2009 resulted in a celebration of new beginnings for Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels. Thursday night’s at the proves that with determination, a staff of passionate experts, and a drive to overcome, no challenge is too bold for the Chestnut Hill community.

“We expected about 100 people to attend tonight, but we predict we’ll get close to 130 guests” said marketing manager Page Pendse.

Members of the fundraising committee Nicole Martz and Jill Reeves commented on the success of planning and the achievements the team had made in planning the night out. “We impressed ourselves,” said Reeves continuing, “We made a goal and just kept on going.”

Planning for CHMOW’s inaugural fundraiser started full force operations in early January. In four short months, the planning committee successfully recruited community and popular donors for bidding items and packages, volunteers to run the event, and (among other essential preparation) restaurants to donate time and food for guests.

Spearheaded by Chestnut Hill MOW’s staff Jami Dolby and Lynne Mason, the Board’s President Kim Morris and Vice-President Lorene Topping, and a collective staff of volunteers for finding sponsors and donors, the silent auction’s fundraiser brought in substantial funds for MOW while raising awareness on senior hunger in the area.

Nicole Martz commended the team and the community on their collaborative efforts in running a smooth night out.

“This area has a strong community,” said Martz. She spoke about the importance of such a chemistry for the success of a not-for-profit event. “People help one another. They’re all friends and neighbors. They were invited to the game night out and they encourage their friends to come with them.”

Martz continued, “It’s unique how people wanted to pull through for each other, and for the bigger picture.”

Pendse added to Martz’s enthusiasm for Chestnut Hill’s contributions.

“This event is different than anything we’ve done before” Pendse said. “You might work in a soup kitchen, volunteer somewhere for a night…but you won’t make the connection like we do with Meals on Wheels. Fundraisers like this show off how Meals on Wheels creates community and builds relationships, especially with our elders.”

Her recognition of the community far surpassed merely words from the organizing team. Murmurs floated around the venue about how much fun the night was, how people were glad to see a family they hadn’t seen in months prior, and how the food and overall environment was warming and joyous.

Food, wine, and games certainly added to the buzz of the evening. The Little Tree House was a vehicle into now mid-thirties’ childhoods. Guests took a stroll down memory lane with a bracket-like championship of games including Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em, Jenga, Tiddly Winks, Operation, Checkers and Connect 4. Rubicks Cubes, Magic 8 balls, and 90s Jams adorned tables as centerpieces with M&Ms and a plethora of buffet style food.

MOW succeeded in appeasing the grumbling stomachs of attendees with their food sponsors and donors. Chestnut 7, eagerly anticipating their grand opening, as well as Iron Hill and other local restaurants provided staple dishes from their menus to compliment the wine and bakery good supplied from Chestnut Hill.

Though the food and games alone provided an excellent atmosphere, the driving force behind the fundraiser was the silent auction which offered top notch prizes for bidders.

Head of the Silent Auction, Jill Reeves commented on her particular interest in the diamond peace sign necklace and planned to also bid on the Dan Carcillo Flyers’ hockey stick and the summer concert package for her kids.

“We have something for everyone” said Reeves. Tables were lined with gift ideas suitable for Moms, Dads, Grads, Kids, that someone special and family members looking for a fun vacation.

Among the vacation trips included a stay in Arizona at a 10-person house fully equipped with a spa treatment and horseback riding. For those a little more restricted on their travel plans, MOW put a night out to Philadelphia and New York up for bidding. Sports tickets, signed memorabilia, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, professional portrait vouchers, and kids’ camp classes are only a few of the packages that worked around the whisper mill.

“People had absolutely no hesitation to donate” commented Board President Kim Morris. Kim recognized the volunteers and sponsors for their dedication and generosity to the event and MOW. “Their generosity makes events like this successful” said Morris adding how her volunteers and fellow staff were remarkable assets in enduring the challenge.

Kim’s loyalty to her staff and volunteers resonated through guests’ comments throughout the night. There was a definite understanding for the larger issue at hand and guests seemed to keep the tone, though fun, aimed at raising awareness and focusing on hunger.

“Events like this market MOW as more than a financial based program. We are needs based, and not many people know about it” said Martz. In addition to raising money for meals for clients, Martz and Reeves discussed the benefit of fundraisers like the silent auction.

“Technology is being bought to help the process along. It’ll streamline some of the processes that were cumbersome…and take the sting out of people’s apprehension to volunteer. GPS’s will aid in giving volunteer drivers confidence and comfort in getting to their destination” added Reeves.

She added, “It’ll bring in more volunteers.” An influx in volunteers will inevitably provide more aid to those in need in the Chestnut Hill and surrounding areas.

MOW aimed to raise $10,000 at the game night out and an approving sense of confidence in meeting that goal infiltrated the staff’s energy throughout the night.

For those guests who had an excellent evening, which certainly seemed like all attending, this will not be MOW’s last time in the community. CHMOW especially anticipates an exciting year of revitalization.

“This could definitely become annual” said Morris who happily admitted, “It will be annual…especially with a turn out like this.”