FAQs for Celebrate Giddens
What is the Celebrate Giddens event?
Celebrate Giddens is our annual Preschool-5 community celebration and fundraiser for financial aid, teacher and faculty continued education and program expansion. Every year, families, faculty, staff, alumni, come together in support of Giddens school.
Can my children attend?
While we love seeing Giddens students engage with the greater community, this is an adults-only event.
I am new to Giddens School, and I haven't met many parents/caregivers from other grades yet. Should I still attend?
Absolutely! Celebrate Giddens event gives you the chance to meet more members of our incredible school community. You can also meet other parents/caregivers at grade-level socials, community coffees, or other events hosted by the Giddens Community Association (GCA) and the school.
When and Where is the Event?
Celebrate Giddens will be held on the evening of Saturday, April 27th from 6 – 10 p.m. at Giddens School, 2120 21st Ave S, Seattle WA 98144.
Ticket Details
Ticket pricing is as follows:
• Regular Tickets (available until sold out or April 10): $175
• Faculty/Staff: $10 and Guest $85
Ticket price includes entrance to the event, 2 drink tickets, appetizers, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, and wine at the table during dinner. Drink tickets can be used for beer, wine, and our specialty cocktails. Additional drink tickets cannot be purchased. Please use discount code Giddens45 for financial aid families.
Where should I park?
There is various street parking surrounding Giddens School. We encourage carpool or grab an Uber for a stress-free night! Please do not leave any valuables in your car.
What is this year’s theme?
This year, we celebrate the Give to Grow theme, honoring the remarkable educational journey of our students, families, and caregivers. We cherish those precious first moments in preschool and kindergarten classrooms, to celebrating graduation, the culmination of years of learning and the beginning of lifelong bonds forged at Giddens. We honor the foundation laid by those who came before us, while setting our sights on the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
What should I wear?
We hope to create a fun and festive atmosphere. There is a wide range of dress, from casual to fancy. Many choose to play off our auction theme, so dress to impress in your version of a spring floral garden party! We want you to dress in whatever you feel comfortable for celebrating and having fun!
I'm unable to attend in person, can I still participate in the auction?
Absolutely! There will be lots of amazing packages available in the online catalog from April 22-28th, with the auction closing at Noon on Sunday, April 28th. Get ready to bid on favorites like class baskets, teacher and staff experiences and Giddens exclusive items, plus incredible get-a-aways, sporting events, family-friendly memberships and more!
You can also contribute to financial aid by donating online. Be sure to check for employer matching. Every dollar counts toward our fundraising goal.
What is new in 2024?
This year instead of classroom art projects, there will be class baskets in the silent auction. Each teacher has selected their own theme. Your class rep should be sharing information about your class basket. Also, this year the event will be held at Giddens school.
What does fundraising support at Giddens?
At Giddens, we believe in fostering a nurturing and enriched learning environment for every student. While tuition covers a significant portion of the cost, it doesn't tell the whole story.
Bridging the Gap with Your Help
That's where our two annual fundraisers come in:
•Annual Fund: Held in the fall, this fundraiser supports critical areas like financial aid.
•Celebrate Giddens Gala: Our spring gala raises funds for teacher and staff development, as well as program expansion.
This year, we have a particularly exciting goal. We aim to transform our existing SPARK space into a Dream Lab, equipped with cutting-edge technology like 3D printers and robotics. This space will ignite a passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) education, fostering creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in our students. Our goal for the gala is to raise $90,000.
What is the event format?
Celebrate Giddens 2024: Give to Grow will feature a reception with cocktails, appetizers, and a silent auction. There will be a dinner program with a live auction, Raise the Paddle, followed by the dessert dash. Then wrapping up with DJ Status, dancing and social till 10 p.m.
How can I support Giddens School on the night of the event?
• Bid on class baskets and items in the silent auction
• Bid on items in the live auction during the dinner program
• Donate during Raise the Paddle during the dinner program
What is the registration deadline?
The deadline to register is Friday, April 5. After that date, you will be able to register to attend, but we may not be able to accommodate a meal. There is limited space at Giddens school for 200 attendees, so it’s best not to wait to purchase your ticket. After April 5th registration will be closed.
Is there assigned seating?
Seating is open, so you're welcome to pick any available seat. Enjoy the company of friends or make new ones!
SILENT ONLINE AUCTION & CATALOG
What type of items can I donate?
We love a creative and fun idea to bring people together. Do you love to host dinners? Teach dancing? We'd love to hear about it. Some items on the auction wish list are destination vacations, weekend getaways, private dinners and wine tastings, sports and entertainment tickets and family-friendly memberships.
I don’t have a vacation home or stadium suites; can I donate a smaller item?
There is a place for everyone at the auction and we appreciate donations at all price-points! Smaller items can be combined to create amazing packages. Joining with friends to host a group experience is another fun way to participate. Fill out the donation form HERE.
Rather give financial support? Every amount counts toward our fundraising goal. There are donation options on our donations pages.
We also understand not everyone can give financially; volunteering is a significant way to meaningfully contribute to the success of the event and to support the school. If you would like to volunteer please sign-up HERE or contact the gala committee at gala@giddensschool.org.
Can I volunteer to help the auction team?
YES! There are many pieces to make the auction successful. Opportunities for volunteering range from day-of setup, procurement, and more. Visit the volunteer page to learn more.
Will There Be A Dessert Dash?
Yes! This is such a fun part of the night! If you love to bake or have a favorite bakery to support please sign up to donate a delish sweet to share for a table of 8. Sign-Up HERE or contact the gala committee at gala@giddensschool.org.
How do I collect my winning items?
Auction items will be displayed at the Celebrate Giddens Gala and must be taken home from the event by the winning bidders. Those that bid online and are not able to attend the event, auction items will need to be picked up the week of April 29th at Giddens school. Whenever possible, gift certificates will be transferred electronically.
ONLINE AUCTION TIPS
What is the online auction website?
The online auction site can be found HERE.
What is online bidding?
Online bidding is our virtual auction where you can bid on items from any location using a device including a smartphone, tablet or computer. Premium silent items, class baskets and teacher and staff experiences will be available through online bidding when the online auction opens on April 22nd.
Do I need to register for online bidding?
Yes! Everyone (attending in-person or still wanting to participate online) needs to register for online bidding.
What if I plan to attend the event in person do I still need to sign up for online bidding?
Yes, and we recommend signing up now for online bidding both for optimized check in at the event and so you can participate in bidding when the online auction opens on Monday, April 22nd. Click here to register for online bidding.
How do I register for online bidding?
You can register for online bidding by clicking here. Next, click the “Get Started” button and it will take you to “Create Account” for online bidding.
Online bidding for Celebrate Giddens allows everyone to participate in the silent auction and support Giddens. This means you can do your bidding anytime while the online auction is open.
You only need to register for online bidding once. If you have already registered, and you try to register again with the same email address, you will get an ‘error’ message.
If you are a return bidder, use your login information. There is a link on the Get Started page to reset your password if you forget your login, user name or password.
Are there any exceptions? Will everything included in the silent auction be sold in the online auction?
Live auction Items are a separate category from silent auction and these items will be available for preview online only and will be sold in person at the event on April 27th. All sales are final.
Additional questions?
For questions regarding the event, sponsorships and donations, email Gala@Giddensschool.org.
THE FINE PRINT
Refunds: All sales are final. Ticket and purchases are non-refundable. Please note specifications and restrictions such as expirations dates or quantity limits carefully before bidding.
Auction Rules and Terms:
• Payment by the successful bidder must be paid in full and will be charged by credit card within three days of event.
• Pickup of items is the responsibility of the purchaser and will be arranged with the school after the event.
• All sales are final and no exchanges or refunds on items are allowed.
*Please note: Although Giddens School has attempted to describe all items correctly, all items are sold as-is. Giddens School neither warrants nor represents and in no event shall be responsible for the correctness of descriptions, genuineness, authorship, provenance or condition of the items. No statement contained in the online bidding site or elsewhere shall be deemed a warranty, representation, or assumption of liability.
