What Clients Say
The emails and videos below are from our clients.
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In full disco regalia: Jennifer Harris (on right) with her co-chair Monica Alvarado (middle) and auction guest (left).
Dear Sherry,
Wow, what an event!! We raised more money than ever, about $108,000! You made such an impact on our group. To quote Monica, my co-chair, “If Sherry organized a cult, I’d join.”
Like most groups, we had fallen into a rut, doing things the same way, year after year. We were doing things that made all the sense in the world to us but didn’t translate into dollars. When we decided to hire you as our auctioneer, we had some skeptics (you weren’t cheap.)
In past years we always had an auctioneer donate his or her time to run our Live auction. Nice for our budget, however, they never had anything to offer except for “going once, twice, sold.” You came with a boat full of ideas, enthusiasm, and charm. You completely revamped our whole event.
All those skeptics are now dedicated fans of yours. We even had some of our guests request your information for other events. Now when people ask me about the success of our event I simply say, “hire an expert and listen to them.” With the hard work of our committee and board and the guidance from you, we had our most successful gala ever. And, everyone had a blast!
Thank you so much for your support along the way. If ever we were challenged by something, we knew you were only a phone call away with a spectacular idea. Your knowledge of what would work and not work was spot on. I know that our event was not perfect, but it was successful and fun. We can work with you on perfection for next year, right? 
Sincerely,
Jennifer Harris, Auction Co-Chair (Nov. 2009)
YWCA Annapolis
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“May I just say that you were terrific! We just kept commenting on what a wonderful job you were doing, and Sandra – who goes to a million of these things – told me Saturday and again this morning how great you were. You truly were the success of the auction. Already we have so many wonderful ideas for improving upon this when we do another auction. Thank you for being a part of our first luncheon and auction (December 2009).”
Penelope C. Fletcher, President & CEO
Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Washington Chapter
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Below is an excerpt. Read the full charity auction client letter here.
“This is the most we have ever raised in the 10 years of holding this annual fundraiser — $337,715 in the live and silent auctions alone! We thought we had a record-breaking year in 2009, but this surpasses everyone’s expectations. The advantages of using a professional auctioneer cannot be measured … You made my job easy.”
Marcy Belfi, Director of Special Events
Camillus House (December 2009)
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| Nancy was the 2009 volunteer Auction Chair of a private school in Maryland. Like so many of our volunteer auction chairs, she is a go-getter! She wanted to create a slam-dunk auction event — and boy, she did.
The school had an enormous increase in revenue and attendance. The energy generated from the success of the gala has continued, with new donors now stepping forward to play a larger role in helping the school. The buzz created from that one successful night has grown into something larger … more eager donors, more interested volunteers, more inquiries and offers to help.
In this clip, Nancy talks about the committee decision to use a more expensive “benefit auctioneer” this year instead of a “regular auctioneer.” |
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| Kevin Sexton is the CEO of Holy Cross Hospital Foundation. Privately, I had a Holy Cross employee tell me that, “Kevin got into healthcare because he wanted to improve access to care for everyone in the community. He’s not just looking to one day have his name memorialized on a building somewhere.”
I’ll let you judge, but I think his sincerity and passion for his work comes through in this video, despite the fact that this is a testimonial for Red Apple Auctions.
It’s such a pleasure to work with people who are excited about their work and the difference they are making in their part of the world. |
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| Craig Shniderman is Executive Director of Food & Friends. This clip was shot immediately after the June 2009 event, which drew 1200+ people.
The organization has watched auction revenue decline for several years and hired Red Apple Auctions to reverse that trend.
We rocked the house! Here’s one example: In the live auction this year, we raised what was raised in 2008, *despite* selling ~6 fewer items. |
| Casey (Board member) and Crista (staff member) were kind to stop and say a few words immediately after the gala.
This event is one of the most well-run events we work. Since we started working together three years ago, several new concepts have been incorporated into the evening, and it runs almost flawlessly.
Casey serves as emcee and does an exceptional job of keeping to the schedule. By the time I get on stage, the crowd is ready to have fun! The gala has ~550 guests. |
| Like many of our auction chair clients, Catherine is active in her community and regularly supports worthy charities by attending fundraisers, chairing galas, and working in a plethora of other ways both in front of the cameras *and* behind the scenes.
Catherine saw the Red Apple Auctions team first perform at an srt auction. She then hired us for a fundraiser she was co-chairing for hospice. Tonight, she saw our crew inject enthusiasm into a performing arts center gala.
Regardless of the event, Red Apple Auctions is consistent in our quality. |
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| Meagan served as the 2009 co-chair of Wine, Women and Song. It’s an intimate gathering of guests who come together to support the performing arts.
Meagan nicely touches upon a key point as to why groups have auction galas — to foster a sense of community. Whether someone leaves your gala with a *physical* item in hand or not, everyone should feel they were part of something greater than themselves. It’s about building believers in your cause. We all want to be part of something special; your auction gala (when done properly) can create that magic. |
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| Melissa works for Girls Incorporated of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. She was busy all night working, and briefly stopped to say a couple of words before jumping back in to clean out the volunteer room. |
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I was referred to this foundation from an event planning company. Last year, I served as their auctioneer. This year, I served as emcee and auctioneer. Next year, they’ll have me washing the dishes, too.  (Honestly, this is such a nice team to work with, I’d probably do it.) |
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| Despite lots of work yet to do, the Executive Director of this homeless shelter graciously stops working immediately after their annual event to say a few comments. |
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It looks like we did amazingly well. We grossed a bit over $84,700, a figure we are thrilled with! In light of the economy and reduced numbers in attendance, I think the auction was a huge success. As always, your debriefing report is so thorough and so helpful. We were relieved and grateful to have done so well this year, especially since attendance was down. I will let you know as soon as we’ve chosen a date for next year since we would love to have you back!
Children’s Chorus of Washington – 2009
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While I don’t yet know our bottom line, our revenues were up significantly (over 10%) above the prior year. The reverse auction was almost double and the live was up substantially. So although the room cleared after the long running roasts ended, those that stayed were in the mood to bid and you did a great job of accommodating them.
Paul Hirshbiel, Horizons Hampton Roads – 2009
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This nice note was sent from the volunteer 2009 Gala Co-Chair of the Montgomery Hospice event.
Dear Sherry,
What a wonderful event you created for us. If only you had been with us for last year’s hospice gala, you would realize what an amazing difference you made.
Thank you for your fabulous ideas, energy, and guidance. For one evening — a very important evening — our economic woes were nowhere in sight.
You’re the best!
Suzanne F.
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Camillus House, a homeless shelter, holds one of the larger galas in Miami, FL. They’ve always used a personable auctioneer, but in December 2008, they opted for Red Apple Auctions’ services.
Miami is one of the cities most hard-hit by the economic dip. Despite this, the gala hit a new record, far surpassing $1.2 million and their previous record, which had been set two years ago during Miami’s economic boom!
The Director of Special Events wrote, “beyond hitting a new record, what stunned me the most during the live auction were the new bidders. Guests who had never bid in any prior event were some of my winning bidders.”
(Sometimes auctioneers unfamiliar with your crowd will be better received by the audience as a whole. Because the “new” auctioneer doesn’t know any of your guests, she treats everyone equally. In contrast, auctioneers who know the crowd will sometimes “harass” people who they know have deep pockets.) Read her letter here.
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“You are so easy to work with, you accomplished amazing things with very little – and you certainly energized the audience!
I very much appreciate having your summary and suggestions so quickly after the event. I have already shared it with colleagues.”
Melissa Houghton, Executive Director
Women in Film & Video (Washington, DC) – 2008
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“Sherry Truhlar was a real hit! Her enthusiasm and energy captivated the audience. The ABB leadership team was fully engaged throughout both the silent and live auctions. The positive feedback from the audience made it our best executive team event and more importantly, we doubled what we expected to raise for our first auction!”
- ABB North America (Raleigh, NC) – 2008
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Sherry Crittenden, Gala Chair 2008
Thank you SO much for your many contributions to the seventh annual Arlington Community Foundation Gala. Our enormous success this year – our best gala EVER – was due in no small part to your involvement.
Your initial presentation and consultations throughout the planning process were invaluable to my committee. And WOW did you ever light up the auction, working bidders to prices far beyond items stated values! Your detailed post-event report was thorough, well constructed and included some of the best pictures anyone took of the event spaces that night. It will provide a solid basis on which the Foundation can continue to grow this event.
Bottom line, Red Apple Auctions was a fabulous addition to our Gala. I give you my very highest personal commendation and would welcome the opportunity to speak with any potential clients should they ask for a reference.
Sherry Crittenden, Gala Chair 2008
Arlington Community Foundation (Arlington, VA)
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Joan Greene, Auction Chair 2005-09
When the Carpenter’s Shelter decided to add a live auction to their annual fundraising event and then asked me to serve as chair of the auction committee, the first call I made was to Sherry Truhlar with Red Apple Auctions. She guided me through the entire process.
Her professional expertise and ability to connect with the bidders has led to five successful years of meeting or exceeding our goals. I can’t imagine doing an auction without her.
Joan Greene, Volunteer Auction Chair 2009
Carpenter’s Shelter
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Fred Diamond, Live Auction Chair 2009
Thanks, Sherry, for the great job running our live auction, which exceeded our goal this year.
You’re a rock star. It’s great how excited you get when you sell an item. I’ve been smiling about it all weekend.
Fred Diamond, DIAMOND Marketing, Live Auction Chairperson 2009
Northern Virginia Family Services (Oakton, VA)
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Red Apple's results were worthy of a newsletter mention.
Red Apple Auctions was mentioned by name in the Red Cross newsletter. Rhapsody in Red, the local Red Cross gala, traditionally used a “volunteer” auctioneer (either a community leader or Board member) at its annual gala.
In 2008 for the first time, the organization invested in a professional benefit auctioneer. Red Apple was selected as the preferred provider, and the gala subsequentally experienced new highs in its auction-related revenue.
One item particularly surprised the crowd. Despite being a “repeat,” a wine tasting sold at a new record high of $4000 (200% of value). It took some encouraging between the two final bidders to hit that new record, but when I said “Sold!” the donor jumped up to say a few delighted words of thanks.
At best, auctioneers are given a cursory nod in post-gala articles, but Red Cross was sufficiently impressed to mention us by name in the quarterly newsletter (see image).
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Mary served as co-chair of this school’s live auction (or “voice” auction, as she calls it). She and the rest of the auction volunteer team did an outstanding job of securing items. I also believe they had record attendance. It’s no surprise that the end result was a strong event.
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Thank you for what you did! The entire audience raved about your talents; I could not imagine doing an auction without RedApple Auctions. Your support, skills and ideas are an impressive component of your services; you also add a personal touch that can only be described by the people who have worked with you.
- Threshold Services (Silver Spring, MD) – 2008
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“Great job Thursday night! Everyone has been raving about how much nicer it was with you at the helm. Thanks for making us look so good!”
- American Business Women’s Association, Maryland Capital Chapter (Annapolis, MD) – 2008
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“Thank you for coaching us through our first-year event. I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from our 100 guests, and one guest who attends a lot of galas told me that our small auction rivaled some of the top events held here in Palm Beach! Thanks for taking the time to educate and advise us on the entire process and how best to maximize our opportunity. You were great, and we couldn’t have achieved such success without you!”
- The Wild Dolphin Project (Jupiter, FL) – 2008
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“Our event was awesome! We feel the night was incredible. We surpassed our goals, and set a new standard for this school auction. It was time to take our event to the next level, and we got more than we thought possible. It was a 30% net increase from the previous year. We knew there was more money to be made than what we’d been raising. We’d been using a professional auctioneer, but Red Apple Auctions showed us the difference between a benefit auctioneer and an auctioneer. I personally loved everything Red Apple gave to our event. We would have never had done as well as we did without you.
- Christ Church School (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – 2008
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A nice note from Holy Cross Hospital Foundation's Development Director. They hit a new fundraising record in 2009, reaching $580,000.
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“We heard so many compliments about you! During the auction, the other guests seated at my table started whispering to me, asking me how they could book you for their own galas.”
- Les Dames d’Escoffier – DC Chapter (Washington, DC) – 2007
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“Being our first year to have a professional auctioneer, we didn’t want attendees at the dinner to feel like they were being coerced. Sherry worked with us in advance to understand our needs and give us input on how to improve the auction. On the night of the event, she was right on target. She made the auction fun for everyone and adapted well to our needs.
- South Florida Urban Ministries (Miami, FL) – 2008
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“The auction was amazing, and everyone has said it was due primarily to you. People got caught up in the auction fever and made comments such as, “I was so excited to bid, I didn’t care on what — I was just spending money left and right!” At least a dozen people have already talked to me about wanting to have you back next year. You were the main reason they enjoyed the auction so much. We raised nearly double what we raised last year with a similar number and type of items.”
- Colonial 1st Ward Auction Co-Chair (Mount Vernon, VA) – 2007