From the Archives …

Beginning in 1984, the UU Service Auction was the primary fundraising resource to supplement the annual canvass, as the Generosity Campaign was known at the time. In that year, Don Denny held an auction in the church basement, consisting mainly of white elephant and garage-sale items, which raised around $500.

By 1995, the auction was adding at least $10,000 to the annual budget. In 2007, the auction activities had expanded to live, fixed, and silent auctions, sale of dinner tickets, and a children’s Book & Toy resale. Jim Hannum brought live entertainment to the proceedings in 1995, and in 1998 karaoke joined the event. 

Chris Hannauer added his computer expertise to the auction in 2001, streamlining the check-in/check-out process. Auction committee chairs throughout the years from 1984 to 2007 included Leon Olszewski, Geoff Levin, Jeff Cunningham, Jim Hannum, Jeffrey Ford, Lynette Marshall, Valorie Deichman, Cathy Cunningham, and Emily Sanders. The kitchen crew in those years was headed by Lela Olszewski, Brigitte Pieke, Valorie Deichman, and Elaine Rockett.

In the early 2000s, one long-time church member said that they’d always thought the auction was just one more check to write to the church, but now “they got it.” That check was an investment in the church family and a connection with others in the congregation. Jeff Cunningham, in 2001, wrote, “ … when we take a look at the bigger picture, the dinners, singalongs, and other social events which are donated and purchased during the auction bring together members of the congregation in settings outside church proper and are important to the social life of the organization. Members donating to the auction are expressing their gifts and talents in creating items to be auctioned.”