Community Generously Supports 2009 Auction
Proceeds designated for
Yunnan Education Project
Concordia celebrated its seventh annual fundraising auction on Saturday, April 25, with a gala dinner, live and silent auction, and dancing for nearly 500 guests at the Shangri-La Hotel, in combination with a celebration for Concordia’s 10-year anniversary.
With a theme of "Blessed to be a Blessing" and in support of Concordia's flagship charity, the Yunnan Education Project (YEP), the six-hour event was a testimony to Concordia's commitment to high quality education for expatriate children in Shanghai and its community-wide commitment to giving back to its host country. It also highlighted Concordia's significant growth in Pudong's Jinqiao area over the past 10 years.
At the gala dinner, which opened with a warm welcome from auction Honorary co-chairs and long-time Concordia parents Dan and Anita Haycook, Concordia Head of School Dr. James Koerschen recognized the many constituents that have directly contributed to this growth.
Concordia’s YEP faculty advisor Patrick Frerking and Concordia Welfare Education Foundation (CWEF) Executive Director Michelle Hoeppner also gave attendees a detailed account of how the auction funds would be channeled through CWEF to reach the many children and families in need in China’s Yunnan province.
The event’s 100-plus silent auction items brought out a healthy competitive edge as the bidding deadlines grew near on the items and services generously donated by local vendors and corporations to support the YEP cause.
The energy level continued high during the 16-item live auction, led by 2009 auctioneers and Concordia Grade 7 teachers Robert Hulse and Tony Tovar. The evening’s donations from both the live and silent auctions totaled nearly RMB1.1 million. Additional funds were raised through the ever-popular raffle, which offered trips to Japan as well as Hong Kong Disneyland park tickets.
Gala attendees were also entertained by guest jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines of Shanghai's Brown Sugar Jazz Club fame and finished the evening late with dancing to DJ tunes.
Concordia’s 2009 Auction Committee, made up of a group of more than 30 volunteer parents and staff, worked hard for more than five months to solicit donations for the auction as well as to prepare hotel decorations, menu selections, entertainment packages, promotional materials and ticket sales for the big event.
“It was a privilege and honor to work with such a dynamic and capable group of individuals,” said Michelle de Rozario, Concordia Director of Marketing. “We are certainly blessed with so many giving hearts.”
Kudos and special thanks to the 2009 Annual Auction Committee for putting together this fantastic event: Nancy Ankoviak, Martha Boeve, Natalie Brown, Rebecca Cobbett, Heidi Gronsedt, Teri Gnaedinger, Adrienne Harris, Anita Haycook, Lori Heffernan, Mary Hyde, Melissa Johnson, Tammy Jonik, Holly Kazyak, Heidie Kim, Kelly Jo Larson, Jessica Lee, Ginny Llope, Andrea Lynch, Jennifer Maizland, Carolyn McIlvenny, Kathy Miller, Ellen Murphy, Julie O’Connell, Melissa Owen, Margaret Poli, Joanne Price, Tracy Radlein, Sondra Raubacher, Yucca Rieschel, Jennifer Schell, Kelly Schroering, Candy Shen, Elly Tanadi, Elizabeth Teubert, Beverly Vallance and Susan Wu.
To see what you missed buying, our 2009 program may be viewed as a pdf file.
Download File Here
