Auction set to support eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip
EASTFORD — Every spring, eighth graders from Eastford Elementary School make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. for a multi-day field trip that brings our nation’s history alive and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Planning for the field trip happens year-round, and over the years, the trip has grown increasingly expensive to pull off — especially since funding is traditionally raised so no students have to pay out of pocket.
Thankfully, this is where the annual Goods and Services Auction comes in.
This year’s event, which is in its 19th year, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Along with a live auction, silent auction, and raffles, the event will include a bake sale, food by Pizza 101, and much more. Last year’s event, which benefited both the seventh- and eighth-grade trip last May (classes were combined for the trip due to small class size), raised approximately $15,000, and according to Lauren Barlow, who co-chairs the Auction Committee with her husband, Jeremy, increasing costs are making the success of the auction even more important this year.
“The goal has always been to fully fund the eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C.,” she said, adding that last year’s trip cost nearly $30,000 just for transportation and the group’s hotel stay. The auction helped relieve some of that pressure, but it could no longer be relied on as the sole source of fundraising revenue. Thankfully, local parents stepped up to fill the gap, holding a “Someone Special Dance,” chocolate sales, and Pampered Chef fundraisers to fill the remaining funds.
“The auction is a single event,” Barlow said. “It cannot sustain the trip long term [anymore]. That doesn’t mean we are ready to throw in the towel.”
One of the major keys to the auction’s success is getting local businesses to donate gift certificates, services, and other items.
“Participation is key,” she said. “The big gap means we need people to go out and solicit businesses. We need people to take specific towns. The other thing is, we want to get more people that have never attended the auction before. We put out signs and publicity, but if anyone has friends and family from surrounding towns, bring them.”
Gift cards from businesses all around the Quiet Corner and beyond are a staple of the auction, but Barlow said she is particularly interested in items from local artists.
“I want to see more unique artisan pieces,” she said, adding that the Eastford Public Library has been particularly helpful in finding talented artists.
While the items themselves are a reason to participate, Barlow added that businesses have an added incentive to join in, as the event gives them a chance to get their names out to local residents.
“This is a great chance to showcase local business,” she said.
The main event of the evening will be the annual live auction. Barlow said the Auction Committee has already collected various items to be auctioned off, including a hockey puck signed by Boston Bruins defenseman Jordan Harris, tickets to Quassy Amusement & Waterpark, right field tickets to the Hartford Yard Goats, a family pass to Beardsley Zoo, a four-person voucher to the Essex Steam Train, New York Giants memorabilia, and more school-related experiences, such as a ride to school on a fire truck, a VIP Graduation experience, Principal for a Day, and an opportunity to pie a Board of Education member in the face. Pizza will be provided by Pizza 101, and a bake sale will also be available.
The next Washington, D.C. trip will be held in spring 2028, as this year’s eighth graders joined last year’s trip as seventh graders. But while there is additional time to raise money for the 2028 trip, Barlow said this does not mean the Auction Committee is planning to take their foot off the gas pedal.
“Come to the auction,” she said. “And bring two people that have never been before. Otherwise, we are doing this in a vacuum. We need people who haven’t been here before to generate more interest. You will have a fun time. It is entertaining, and it is a good time to shop before Christmas and the holidays. You might even end up getting a really good deal on something pretty cool and unique.”
For more information or to inquire about donating an item for the auction, contact the committee at [email protected].
