Hello RHS community,
What a spectacular celebration of community on Saturday night at the California Ballroom! The RHS Auction has always been an event not to be missed, and this year was no exception. We were blown away by the turnout and participation over the past months. So many of you participated in this major fundraising event by selling raffle tickets, donating your talents and items to the online or live auction, volunteering on the auction committee, and attending the Auction and Dinner on March 4. Even alumni parents and a record number of teachers and staff were in attendance, and Ms. Bagby helped out with set-up of the party. We truly have something special at RHS.
As of today, between the raffle, the online and live auctions, fund-a-need, and party sign-ups; we have raised just over $96,000 for our incredible RHS programs! There are auction items and party slots still available. Let’s make that a nice round $100,000. Check out the “Second Chance” campaign for deals on items that didn’t sell in the silent auction.
Missed the event and want to sign up for some parties? There are still lots of spots at fun events! All of the party links are at the bottom of the Auction Dashboard (https://paybee.io/@rhsauction), but we’ll list some of the upcoming parties here:
- Tour of the Caribbean: Rum Tasting (1 spot left!) - 3/17/2023
- Soap-Making for Kids (or adults) - 3/25/2023
- Backyard Bash (Food, drinks and backyard games - adults only) - 4/15/2023
Want to help reach our goal through fund-a-need? That is still possible too! Every bit helps, all the money we’ve raised will make an appreciable difference in the quality of the experience and education our kids will receive.
If you were one of the winning bidders, you should receive an email confirmation. Electronic gift certificates will be sent out within the next few days via email. All physical items (including class art) can be picked up either this Thursday, March 9, between 3pm and 6pm, or Sunday, March 12, between 4pm and 6pm, at 3581 Monterey Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619. If you cannot make either of these pick-up times, please try to get a friend to pick up for you or contact Jill Oringer via text at 408-806-4955 to make alternative arrangements.
If you have not submitted payment for your winnings, please do so right away. You should have received a text and email (check your spam) with a payment link.
The raffle proceeds this year were fantastic. We raised over $12,000! Congratulations to our raffle winners! Winning tickets were drawn at the event on March 4, and belonged to:
- Dahlia Jerome’s family - $500 Visa Gift Card
- Stacey Martz - $350 Visa Gift Card
- Second grader and Kindergartner Roman and Sylvia Heath’s uncle - $150 Visa Gift Card
Selling $795 in raffle tickets, our top student seller fifth grader Nala Bickham will receive $100 in recognition of her tremendous effort. Thank you to all of the students and families for getting out there (or on the phone) and selling tickets to parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.
Finally, we’d like to acknowledge the rockstar cast of characters that made the auction happen.
The Donations team, led by Rachel Balsley - Jill Oringer, Tracy Herrera, Lilia Fulton, Erica Gomes, Jenny Pfeiffer, Corinne Eddens, and Thomas Kuoh; Raffle Leads Elizheva Hurvich and Claire Moore; RHS Art Teacher Ms. Mate with help from Claire Moore on the beautiful class art projects; Decor Dream Team led by Celeste Winkel; Food team led by Eric Schneider and Kacie Bachelder; Dessert Diva Erin Connolly; Wine Collector Extraordinaire Melissa Natusch; Video team - Chris Rachowicz and Roddy Swearngin; Party Gurus - Cindy Ciruli and Amy Skonieczny; Registration Team leads Jen Lachance and Nancy Dillon; Clerks Aya Allen, Lisa Clark, and Anna Heath; rockin’ DJ Delon (Alain Grissette); the RHS Dad’s Club for supplying and serving libations all evening, and last, but not least, our very entertaining and effective auctioneers Dan Ciruli and Ramona Ramirez Higgins. You were all remarkable, thank you!!!
We also wanted to do a special call-out and thank you to our Auction business sponsors of Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, Twelve Top Catering, Lacayo-Colt Plumbing & Heating, Compass Realtor Jennie Flanigan, and Warp & Weft Strategic Partners.
With boundless appreciation,
Emily Wilson and Jen Schneider
2023 Auction Co-Chairs