The DTS Auction is the Downtown School’s largest fundraiser, and it only happens every other year. Hosted by the PTA, this adults-only event includes silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle, and a chance to recognize our awesome teachers and staff. Join the fun of bidding or just come to connect with other DTS families.
This is by far our largest fundraiser, and is lieu of sending students to sell door-to-door, collect money, deliver goods and more throughout the year.
April 20 | 6-8:30 PM
Ricochet, 400 Locust Suite 105 in Des Moines.
THE SILENT AUCTION IS LIVE!
https://one.bidpal.net/dtsauction23/welcome
If you are unable to attend the event, please consider bidding from home and sharing the link with your family and friends. The auction will close at 7:45 pm on Thursday evening. Winners unable to attend can pick up their items on from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, April 24 at the Downtown School circle drive.
Thank you to our Auction Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
GroupC Digital Advertising
Robb Spearman
Abby Mills & Brandon Geib
Blue Sponsors
Alamos Basement, LLC
Kathy Carter
The Crosbie Family
Sarah Shaffer Real Estate
Lincoln Savings Bank
DONATIONS
Cash Donations – Can’t make it the event in person? Have family or friends who feel guilty about not buying all that wrapping paper, popcorn and other “stuff” from your student? Invite them to make a donation (via PayPal) to the Auction! Everyone is also welcome to participate in the online silent auction.
FOR FAMILIES and FRIENDS
This is the only PTA-sponsored gathering that is kid-free. But please, invite your friends, neighbors and family members to the Auction. This free event includes a cash bar, and a food truck stationed outside in the Cowles Commons area will have items for purchase.
The event includes a silent auction with items donated by the community, including many DTS families. The auction will take place on an online platform, and it will open a few days before the event. Bring your phone with internet to keep bidding early and often, but also invite family and friends who cannot participate in person to join the fun of bidding.
The auction will also include items created by classrooms and experiences with DTS teachers and staff.
Silent auction items and raffle tickets will be paid for through the online auction site.
The event is free to attend. Even if you don’t want to participate in the auction, please come to enjoy time getting to know or reconnecting with other DTS families and friends. There is also no dress code. From DTS T-shirts to tuxedos, it is all welcome. There is no prize for best dressed.
More information about Ricochet, parking, cash donations, how the funds raised are used, who can attend, and more is available in this Q&A pdf.
Have other questions about the event? Please ask. We’ll get you an answer, and we’ll post the information here to help other families with similar questions!
How will the funds raised at the Auction be used?
At DTS we don’t ask students to raise money via endless catalog sales (selling magazines, pizzas, cookie dough, etc.). Instead, we ask that families and friends participate in a way that makes sense for their family during the bi-annual Fundraising Auction.
This every-other-year auction is the biggest fundraiser for DTS. At a minimum, the Auction funds PTA-sponsored events and activities for two whole years! This year those events included sponsoring the snow cone truck at back-to-school night, the Back-to-School Bonfire, Movie Night, Skate Night, and the End of Year Picnic. The funds also allow the PTA to provide a T-shirt to every incoming Kindergartener, coffee in the teacher workroom throughout the year, and more.
In past years, the Auction also raised enough money to pay for significant purchases for the school (library furniture, classroom technology, etc.).
We all know Iowa schools are challenged by shrinking budgets while paradoxically facing more significant demands for results. Your generosity, in any capacity, is appreciated and put right back into supporting the Downtown School community.
What if I/my grandparent/family member/friend wants to participate or contribute, but cannot be there in person?
Good News! Anyone can participate in the silent auction through the auction website! We cannot mail items to people, but, with the winner’s permission, we can send their items home with you. Or we can arrange for pick-up at school. So help your friends support your students, and offer to deliver the winnings to them.
Not interested in buying stuff? Anyone can donate money directly to the Auction event on the PTA website! Share the cash donation link with them – https://dtspta.com/blog/
Sponsorship Opportunities – This new opportunity for businesses to support DTS closeD April 11.
Blue Sponsor ($100) – Includes Company or Family Name listed on the website and listed at the event. When purchasing this sponsorship, please include the name, as you want it to appear in the listings.
Gold Sponsor ($250) – Includes Company logo on the website and displayed at the event. When purchasing this sponsorship, please send your logo, at least 300dpr and in a vector format (.eps or .pdf).
Live/Silent Auction Items – Through April 1, the PTA accepted items. Donate a special experience you could provide another family, connections to businesses who can donate items or services. We’re so thankful for the community support, and we love highlighting DTS families with local businesses!