Hill School Auction Just Keeps on Giving Back
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n April, 1978, the Hill School in Middleburg held its first auction, “A Little Night of Bidding.” On May 11, 2024, they’ll celebrate the event’s 47th year with “A Casino Night and Gala.” The evening will include casino games, auction bidding, food, music and dancing. The event occurs on Hill’s Spring Weekend, which also includes Grandparents and Special Friends Day along with an alumni reception. The gala welcomes parents, grandparents, and Hill alumni as well as the entire Middleburg community. It also provides essential support for Hill’s diverse programs, scholarship aid and professional development for Hill’s faculty and staff. The event has changed in recent years. The pandemic forced the school to rethink the structure of the auction and gala. In moving the majority of the auction online and extending it over three days, the focus for the night of the gala now includes as much “friendraising” as “fundraising.” Because of the advent of online bidding, the Hill community’s engagement has expanded, drawing in participants from across the country and around the world. Last year, the three-day event saw a record number of donations, reached over 1,500 friends of the school and tallied over 2,400 bids, making it an overwhelming success. Traditionally, the Middleburg business community also has generously contributed to sponsor the event. Additionally, every auction chair for the past 46 years has joined the ranks of the “Over the Hill Gang,” and consistently demonstrated their dedication to the school through significant annual contributions to the auction. According to Kim Medica, the event’s current coordinator, “the success of the auction, both financially and in fostering lasting connections, is because of the investment of time, energy and resources from our entire community that comes together every year to support Hill.” Students also play an active role by annually presenting a class gift to the auction, often showcasing special art projects that reflect their grade-level curriculum. “Hill is fortunate to have so many committed and generous friends,” said head of school Treavor Lord. “It has a direct impact on the children’s experience every day.”
Tutti Perricone and long-time Hill teacher Don Woodruff at last year’s Hill School auction and gala. Each November, Hill also hosts their annual week-long holiday auction which concludes with a cocktail party open to the community. This festive occasion serves as a delightful way to express gratitude, kickstart the holiday season, and embrace the spirit of giving. It’s more of a mini-auction that includes specialty gifts like Hill administrator Emily Tyler’s homemade fudge and Hill parent Haley Walsh’s equally scrumptious almond cakes as well as smaller items like candles, frames, and hostess gifts. It was a week-long, on-line event open to the entire community. “It’s also an event that introduces people to the auction, especially new parents,” Medica said. “It helps them get to know other new parents and socialize with so many people from the school.”
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