Schools
Kudos to Sherry Truhlar and Red Apple Auctions for helping us achieve success at our fundraising auction this year–including helping us to offer an event full of activities, games, and fun!
From the first face-to-face meeting, through the subsequent phone calls and email messages, Sherry offered a tremendous number of ideas–from ticket pricing to best auction items to look for to ideas for games and other activities.
At the event itself, Sherry’s performance was a perfect mix of professional auctioneering techniques and down-to-earth rapport with the guests. I heard nothing but compliments from our guests.
In addition, I was blown away by the amount Sherry was able to raise through the special appeal (Fund a Need), something we had never before included in our auction. I would never have thought our guests would have been so forthcoming after having purchased a ticket and perhaps bid on other items!
I am also convinced that our bottom line would not have been so great, had we not had the help of Red Apple Auctions.
Thanks Sherry, for helping us achieve success–and have such fun in the process!
Betty Heiney
West Nottingham Academy (Colora, MD)
I wanted this year’s Key School auction event to be the best yet, so I reached out to my contacts on LinkedIn to get recommendations for a top-notch charity/benefit auctioneer.
Sherry Truhlar and Red Apple Auctions came highly recommended by several sources.
From the start I felt that Sherry was the right choice for the school. She kept the auction co-chairs on track by helping them set deadlines, make decisions and stay calm. And, as a result, the event ran smoothly, the bidders were engaged, and we raised the bar considerably with a new fundraising record.
My advice for those thinking of hiring Sherry and her team at Red Apple Auctions…. go for it! If you’re lucky enough to fit into her schedule, you’ll be happy you went with the best.
Thomas H. Gimer, Esq.
Francis Scott Key Elementary (Washington, DC)
Thanks so much for your great work at our recent auction. You were outstanding!
Jane Bowling-Wilson
Headwaters Foundation (Sperryville, VA)A happy client since 2010!
Nonprofits
Thank you for another incredible Chef’s Best! The auction was the highlight of my night and we truly appreciated yours, Bill’s and your team’s efforts and enthusiasm! Can’t wait to work together again. Have a wonderful summer!
Stacy
Since 2010 when I first began working with Stacy, I’ve received these yummy cookies after her auction. This auction had experienced sliding revenue and apprehensive donors before we started working together.
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?
Jennifer Harris, Auction Co-Chair 2009
YWCA Annapolis (Annapolis, MD)
I knew Sherry and her team would be perfect for this particular event. The benefit wasn’t your typical sit down dinner so I really needed someone who could be flexible, analyze the event program and hit the ground running. My event was quite unique due to its intricate sequence of events: a champagne reception, couture fashion show, followed by a “green” reception for a very exclusive and intimate group of 150 people.
Our program itinerary called for an almost impromptu special appeal for cash. With Sherry’s guidance we raised just about $7,000.00 in ten minutes!
For over two weeks after the event I heard things like, “The event was elegant and appealing. Sherry maintained the positive energy and excitement (after the fashion show) while soliciting the bigger donations. I think due to her appealing presence, what is normally a dreaded part of an event (the fundraising) was actually fun.” and “Wow! She was amazing, a true master at work.”
I’ve discovered that “asking for money” can be challenging, but every member of the Red Apple Auctions team does this well. One of the Red Apple Auctions team members handled the raffle at my auction and raised over $500.00 in half an hour!
It is clear to me that the entire team takes pride in mastering all fundraising aspects, but the finesse of their polished auction team during the live portion of an auction is incredible! Trust me! I have seen them all in action!!!
I also appreciate the effort that Red Apple Auctions puts into analyzing their client’s needs. Staff and even the owner herself graciously stop in or call to check on me periodically. She requests input and shares her enthusiasm, growth, and any new services/information/literature they have. I have even been surprised with unexpected gifts!!! What a treat!
In any case, I often remark on how blessed I am to have found Sherry. I can honestly say that there is no possible way one could overlook how hard she works to satisfy all of her clients. She has a wealth of knowledge for your event, too – this I’m sure! Her attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty has never ceased to amaze me.
Red Apple Auctions is unlike many other companies that lack the attention to detail, good nature (always friendly, always smiling) and humility that every member of the Red Apple Auctions family exudes. Red Apple Auctions is a motivated, fun loving, likable, and trustworthy company; I proudly recommend them to you.
Aaron L. Machado
Independent planner (Washington, DC)
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