Always one of the social high points of MG College, the Silent Auction is also a major source of funding for our State MG Coordinator Endowment Fund.  It is always wonderful if a unit chips in to send something truly wonderful to drive up the bidding, but individual donations are equally as important. 

2011 VMGA

 ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION

VMGA is asking for Master Gardeners statewide to donate items for the Annual VMGA (Virginia Master Gardener Association) Silent Auction.  The Auction will be held at VaTech during Master Gardener College in Blacksburg this June.   

All proceeds from this auction are donated to the State Master Gardener Coordinator Endowment Fund.  As Master Gardeners, the on-campus Coordinator is essential for the continued success of the Master Gardener program in Virginia.  Funds for this position from traditional sources are not guaranteed!  VMGA realizes both the dependence of Virginia Master Gardeners on the State Coordinator position and the need for stable funding.  In this regard, VMGA initiated an agreement with the Virginia Tech Foundation several years ago to partially fund this position with a $1 million endowment.  We need to help make the endowment a reality.  One source of funding is the Annual VMGA Silent Auction

Lively bidding on enticing items donated by our Units and by individual Master Gardeners is what makes this annual auction a success.  Please be as generous as possible for this worthwhile endeavor.  Bring your donated auction items with you to MG College or arrange for items to be transported with your local Master Gardener office.  Following is a list of items that have been successfully auctioned in the past:

                     gardening tools                            books

                     planters                                       straw hats

                     fountains                                     bird feeders

                     bird houses                                  gardening gloves

                     garden art                                    hand crafted toys

                     bird baths                                    baskets

                     plants                                          pre-planted containers

For each item donated, we need a donation form with the following information:

1.       The donor’s name (this might be an individual or maybe a unit)

2.       A contact name (if the donor is not an individual)

3.      Contact information:  Address, MG unit, e-mail, phone

4.      Value of the item and your recommendation of the minimum bid for the item.

In 2010, the Silent Auction items sold for top dollar and made a generous donation to the Coordinator Endowment Fund.  Let’s try to top it this year.  With that in mind, we encourage you to ask for donations from your local nurseries as well.  Every item large and small helps our cause.

Contact Betty Villers (bettyv@cox.net or 757-481-6398) if you have questions or would like to assist.  Let us know as soon as possible, what contributions we can expect from you. We, of course, will accept donations up to the end.  Earlier notification is helpful for record keeping. I’ve attached the donation form to fill out and return to me in advance of MG College.

Thank you for your support of the Coordinator Endowment and the Annual VMGA Silent Auction.

Betty Villers

VMGA Past-President

Click here to get the donation form.  If you use it it will greatly help us, and speed up check out after you get your goodies! 

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