Looking for a getaway to southern California, Florida, or Washington D.C.? How about a 90-minute consultation on book writing and publishing with an established novelist? Or if you’re in the mood for fun, what about an insider’s trip to the Indy 500 or seats to Broadway’s Beautiful and a backstage tour or lunch with the producers?
All of these—and more—will be available on ASJA’s first-ever Charitybuzz online auction, to benefit the ASJA Educational Foundation in its 70th Anniversary fundraising efforts. Through May 28, you and anyone else who visits the site can bid on as many as 20 exciting lots, each valued at more than $1,000. The auction will close this Thursday, May 24.
Charitybuzz, named one of Fast Company’s 2017 most innovative companies, partners with non-profits to provide big-ticket auction items online. From between May 10 and 28, ASJA lots will be available for bids to anyone who visits the site.
“Charitybuzz is the place to find extraordinary experiences and luxuries to benefit remarkable charities making an impact,” states their website. “Our online auctions bring together hundreds of the world’s most acclaimed celebrities, inspiring luminaries, and beloved brands to give you unforgettable access to your passions. Plus, every winning bid supports an incredible cause.”
For several months, ASJA members and leaders have been scouting out these special experiences that will ultimately benefit ASJA’s Educational Foundation. Each item has been donated by a member or friend of a member.
“Because of its digital availability to all of our members, Charitybuzz provides the perfect platform for the ASJA Educational Foundation to raise funds that will help in a website update,” explains ASJA President Sherry Beck Paprocki. “We are extremely thankful to those who have contributed packages and made significant donations, including precious volunteer time so that this auction is a fruitful venture from which every ASJA member will eventually benefit.”
The process is simple and straightforward. Once the auction is closed, the bids will be collected and funds sent to the ASJA Educational Foundation (minus a small administrative fee).
Launched in 2010, the ASJA Educational Foundation was formed as ASJA’s non-profit arm to empower independent writers now and in the future. Proceeds from the auction will help further develop the ASJA Educational Foundation as a hub for all nonfiction writers—including those with emerging voices from diverse and underserved communities. Benefits will include providing extensive professional growth via mentoring, coaching and peer networking as well as resources for scholarships; conferences; podcasts; videocasts and virtual networking among peers and clients; and other specialized journalistic courseworks.
Your job is easy peasy: check out the lots. Below are a few that will be offered; click on each link to see a full description. Place a bid, if you want. And share the link far and wide. “My father in law is a huge Indy 500 fan, and I’ve already asked family members to pitch in to give him that extra special gift for Christmas,” says Laura Laing, ASJA publications chair.
A full list of lots can be found here and you can also log onto the specific item link on May 10 to learn more about each enticing offering. And please share this event widely!
Two house seats at the Tony-award winning Broadway show Beautiful as well as a backstage meet and greet after the show, led by Tony-award winning producer, Ken Fakler, of Fakston Productions. Dates to be determined, blackout dates will apply. $2,000 value.
Lunch at an upper west side NYC restaurant with Ken Fakler, of Fakston Productions, a Tony-award winning producer of Beautiful and Dear Evan Hansen. Ken has recently optioned a show based on the life of Katherine Hepburn. $2,000 value
With the Sightseeing Pass and Hop-on Hop-off double decker bus you can hit all the high spots Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn and more. Then dine among wheelers and dealers at the posh Hunt & Fish Club. A Southwest voucher will get you there or can be used for travel elsewhere. $1,000 value
See the 2019 Indy 500 Up Close and Personal
Gear up for this fabulous package to the 2019 Indianapolis 500, Saturday., May 25 — Sunday May 26, 2019. This fully immersive experience includes two premium tickets to the race and pit and garage credentials, which allow the winning bidders on the track for up to an hour before race starts. Saturday, the day before the race, winning bidders will also have access to the driver’s meeting and tickets to the Legends Day concert. One of the biggest country music events of the year, the 2018 concert features headliner and Grammy Award nominee Sam Hunt as well as country music artists Canaan Smith and Filmore. Don’t let your engines go idle on this one! $3,500 value
Take Your Book or Idea to the Next Level!
Description: You and a guest will get the inside scoop on writing and publishing from one of the New York area’s leading novelists, Ellen Meister, during a 90-minute, in-person meeting in New York. It’s a great chance to discuss your writing or your ideas for a book with an insider who is also an editor, ghostwriter, book coach, and teacher. If you’re not local, you can meet Ellen via Skype or telephone. $2,500 value
The Ultimate Bite-Sized Entrepreneur Boot Camp Experience with Damon Brown
Get a six-step, self-guided course on the lessons from the highly successful Bite-Sized Entrepreneur series. Includes three one-on-one sessions with author, TED speaker and columnist Damon Brown, as well as access to the boot camp and copies of his Bite-Sized Entrepreneur books. $1,200 value
Insight from Executive Coach, Jason Womack
Become a better leader through personalized lessons and one-on-one coaching sessions with Jason Womack, executive coach to entrepreneurs, CEOs, athletes, and high performing professionals worldwide. Through online videos and three one-on-one coaching sessions, Jason shares practical methods to maximize time, direct focus and achieve your goals. $1,000 value
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Every June since 1972, writers from around the world have gathered at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference to rub elbows with fellow writers, well-known authors, and publishing professionals. June 17-22, 2018, you can participate in a magical week of intensive work focused on craft, marketing, and networking.
Geta
way to Washington, D.C. and Virginia Wine Country
Spend two fabulous nights in the heart of Washington, D.C., visiting myriad attractions in the area: the Smithsonian Institute, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and many more. Then relax and enjoy Virginia’s Loudon County wine country, an hour away with an additional two-night stay at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa with sweeping views of the Virginia countryside. A tasting and tour of DC Wine Country in Loudon is also included. $1,000 value
Nipoma Condo (three nights) and Southwest Airlines Airfare Credit
Relax for 3 nights on California’s Central Coast in this 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2-story condominium unit on the ninth hole of the Blacklake Golf Course in Nipomo. You’ll also receive $500 in Southwest airlines travel certificates. $1,500 value
Island Vacation at Cico de Mayo, Florida
Enjoy a seven-day stay for up to 10 guests at the Cinco de Mayo beach house on sunny North Captiva Island in Southwest Florida. $3,500 value