6:00:      (Guest arrival) Silent Auction begins  :::  Hors d'oeuvres and Cash Bar

7:15:      Silent Auction tables start closing

7:30:      Silent Auction closes

7:50:      Dinner is served

8:00:      Live Auction begins

9:00:      Live Auction ends

9:00:      Telescopes Available ::: Exhibits Open ::: DJ + Dancing ::: Dessert Bar

9:45:      Auction Check-out opens

10:30:    Good night and thank you!

FAQs

When is the online auction? 

Online bidding opens Sunday, October 27th at 8:30am and closes the Friday before the event on November 1st at 9pm. Online items (sports tickets, kids camps, wine, clothing and jewelry, getaways, entertainment and outings, restaurant gift cards, and more!) will NOT be available in-person at the event. 

What CAN I bid on at Chabot? 

The following categories are ONLY available in person at the event: adult parties, kids’ parties, teacher outings, class art projects, and, of course, the not-to-be-missed live auction items.

Should I attend the event?

Absolutely! It’s a fun evening (at a NEW location for the first time in almost 20 years), a great way to meet other parents, and more importantly, the event directly benefits the kids (aka our “little villains”). Purchase tickets to the event at Chabot Space and Science Center here.

What's up with the costumes?

Most parents wear costumes to the Benefit, some exceptionally imaginative interpretations on the theme! Guessing who will win "best dressed" is always a fun part of the evening. 

Why the new venue? 

Change is good! The CEO and former Education Director for Chabot Space & Science Center both attended the Hillcrest Auction last year. They suggested that we consider their venue for this year’s event and personally invited the auction team to come by for a tour. We did so and totally fell in love with the space. We find it to be pretty magical at night, and we think you will, too! We will even have access to the telescopes post-dinner! Pretty cool, right?

What else is new this year? 

In addition to the venue and online bidding, we will also introduce drink tickets and commemorative drink cups this year. Credit cards will no longer be needed at the bar, but cash is appreciated for gratuity. 

What’s the format of the auction?

Items at the auction will be broken into three categories: 

• For the first time ever, we’ll be offering multiple items via online auction only, including gift certificates to local businesses, tickets to museums and sporting events, vouchers for kids’ summer camps, jewelry, wine, and more! The online auction ends the evening prior to the Benefit so don’t miss out!

• At the Benefit, you’ll be able to bid on kids’ art projects, teacher-hosted events, and parties for both kids and adults during the silent auction (6-8pm). 

• And finally, over a delicious catered dinner we’ll offer our most amazing packages -- from travel to the coveted auction parking spot -- during the live auction (8-9pm). 

• After the live auction and dinner, there will be a DJ and dancing, a dessert bar, as well as access to the museum’s telescopes and exhibits. 

Can I attend just the silent auction portion of the event as I’ve done in years past? 

Of course! If you choose not to attend the live auction/dinner portion of the event, you can come for cocktails and to bid on adult parties, kid parties, class art projects, and teacher outings. You can purchase your $50 ticket for that here. 

Can I sit with my "sidekicks"?

There are only a few tickets remaining for the 2019 event! Please contact us at benefit@hillcrestpta.org to purchase dinner tickets. You may attend the silent auction portion of the evening from 6pm to 7:45pm by purchasing Bidder Only tickets here. 

What should I donate?

While the donation deadline has passed, you can still contribute bottles of wine for inclusion in our instant wine cellar package. Lori Waltzer and Meghan Langston will be taking turns collecting wine on Wednesday mornings in front of the school. Alternately, you can drop off your wine donations at Lori’s house (30 Wilding Lane) -- just leave it on the covered porch up the stairs off the driveway. 

Where have you guys been? We haven’t seen or heard much from you this year! 

(Yes, someone really asked this!) Wow, it sounds like you’ve been missing our morning circle “performances”! We promise that we’ll continue our shenanigans each Monday morning until the benefit. If you can’t make it on Mondays, check the Yellow Pages, our weekly school newsletter, every Tuesday evening for information. Communication is also sent weekly through Konstella via your class’s Benefit Liaison. If you STILL want more info (we love you), please keep reading! 

Can I help with the event?

We'd love it! Contact Laura Todd, Sarah Hoople Shere & Tracy Pugh (benefit@hillcrestpta.org).  

What if I have more questions? ​

Contact your heroic hosts, Laura Todd, Sarah Hoople Shere & Tracy Pugh at benefit@hillcrestpta.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing you prevail on November 2nd!