Join the fun, participate in the 2017 Master Gardener Conference Silent Auction!???

Silent auction participants placing bids at the 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference. Photo credit: Marcy Sousa

The UC Master Gardener Program conference planning committee is looking for generous people, businesses and UC Master Gardener counties to help make the 2017 UC Master Gardener Conference silent auction a huge success. The committee is seeking high quality silent auction donations the awards banquet happening at the Long Beach Convention Center on Weds. Aug. 23.

The potential 900 conference attendees will have the opportunity to browse and bid on donated baskets and items throughout the evening. Bidders can bid freely knowing their money will be used to offset future conference costs and provide conference scholarships opportunities for UC Master Gardener volunteers.

Themed baskets, local goods, gift cards and handmade items that were donated for the 2014 conference raised $6,400 and provide both full and partial registration scholarships to the 2017 conference.

Donating items is easy? ?
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Volunteers can work with their local program coordinator and fellow volunteers to designate a lead responsible for all future silent auction correspondence and complete the Silent Auction Participation Form. Please complete the survey no later than Monday, Aug. 7 to secure a spot for your donated items. Visit the?conference website?to learn more details about the silent auction and how to package silent auction donation baskets.?

If you are a business and would like to donate items for the silent auction please contact Ann Daniel, statewide fundraising coordinator, anndaniel@ucanr.edu or (530)750-1387. We are happy to accept gift certificates,?event and/or season tickets, travel vouchers, gardening tools, gloves, hats, gardening accessories, books, photography equipment, close-focus binoculars, pocket microscope, etc.

All individuals, businesses and organizations will be recognized for their donations at the silent auction on table signage and bid sheets for their support of the program.

Proceeds from the silent auction are used to help UC Master Gardener volunteers with financial hardships attend the conference through scholarships.

Help support a program you love!??

Leah Haynes, Program Coordinator in Ventura County and silent auction chair is excited to be a part of the 2017 conference committee and is looking forward to the conference. Haynes is particularly excited about providing an opportunity to UC Master Gardener volunteers to bid on items and support a program they love while creating future learning opportunities and scholarship funds.

“What an excellent opportunity to create a basket that showcases your county's agricultural profile,” says Haynes, “think big and beyond the basket. Let me know if you need my help in creating a theme for your county's basket. I truly appreciate your support for the work we DO!”

Questions? Contact:
(Please include county name and Silent Auction in subject line for all email communications)

County programs contact:?
Leah Haynes
Program Coordinator, Ventura County
Phone: (805)320-4134
Email:?ljhaynes@ucanr.edu

Businesses, organizations or individuals?contact:?
Ann Daniel
Statewide Fundraising?Coordinator
Phone: (530)750-1387
Email:?anndaniel@ucanr.edu

• Are you an artist with a unique masterpiece that reflects the beauty of your county??
• Do you have a family member, friend or neighbor that creates gifts for the garden?????
• Did you purchase too many garden tools that you will never use???
• Do you have a vacation home a fellow UC Master Gardener could enjoy??
• Did you receive a gift card or two that you will never use????
• Do you make beautiful birdhouses or decorative items to adorn the garden? ??

Many Hands Make Light the Work!??? 

Register to donate a silent auction item:
ucanr.edu/sites/2017MGConference/Activities/Silent_Auction

Learn more about the conference: 
ucanr.edu/sites/2017MGConference

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