Auction Co-Chairs (Jayme Trott and Barbara Drew), along with the leaders for party food and Boutique, met to don special shirts reflecting this year’s theme. Left to right: Jayme Trott, Penny Rodgers, and Debbie West (Boutique, back row), Lori O’Neil, Barbara Drew, Susan Vigilante, Marcia Wittmann, and Kim Bacso.
By Barbara Dream, Co-Chair, Auction Committee
While Auction 2026 participants continue to enjoy wonderful auction events that help us connect and share our interests, Auction 2027 is already scheduled, and we’ve announced a theme!
We are pleased to announce that UUCWC will be “Living Our Joy!” at the spring 2027 Annual Auction! The Kick-off Party will be held on Friday, May 7, featuring fabulous food (coordinated by Susan Vigilante and Kim Bacso) and a fun Live Auction. This party precedes the opening of the online auction on Saturday, May 8, at 9:00 a.m. Mark your calendars and plan ahead!
Another feature of the auction is the Boutique, where you can find amazing bargains on jewelry, accessories, and small décor items. The 2027 Boutique, organized by Penny Rodgers and Debbie West, will be held on two Sundays, April 25 and May 2, so HomeFront children can select Mother’s Day gifts the following Monday. This year, one child expressed joy in giving to tutor Kim Bacso, exclaiming, “My nanna and mom loved the necklace and purse I gave them!”
UUCWC’s annual auction began in the early 1990s and has grown to include well over 250 items, including skilled and custom services, handcrafted or unique physical items, and a wide variety of events. The auction is more than a fundraiser that supports our annual operating budget; the social gatherings provide opportunities for connection, making it the FUN-raising success it is.
You can count on popular annual events hosted by congregants, ranging from arts, cultural, and musical gatherings such as holiday or campfire-style sing-alongs, to beer or wine tastings, movies or podcast discussions, and games with snacks or a meal.
Special themed meals hosted at homes or restaurants are always extremely popular and reflect our members’ diverse skills and interests. UUCWC Board President Bob Alt shares, “I love hosting events for the auction. It’s a great way to meet new people, deepen relationships, and have fun while raising money to support our UUCWC mission.”
Auction personnel are available anytime to help with your ideas and plans for potential offerings in Auction 2027. Believe it or not, it’s never too early! Find inspiration in past auction items, including arts, Zooming, yardwork assistance, cooking demos or tutorials, custom knitting, or workshops to explore spirituality or a new craft.
Many event hosts offer an item that fulfills their wish list. Maybe you’ve been meaning to explore the Hindu temple in Robbinsville, NJ, or check out the Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA; Why not consider hosting this kind of outing yourself? Auction offerings don’t need to be expensive and can give you a chance to get to know other UUCWC members. Newer members Bruce and Gayle Allen share that: “The auction opened paths to connection, just a few weeks after we visited for the first time!”
Watch the UUCWC Facebook community-building page for highlights from hosts’ and winners’ experiences, including Party Like a Pirate, Bald Pate Mountain Hike, and even a visit to the Vampire Museum! Please continue to post auction experiences and contact auction personnel at any time: auction@uucwc.org