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You are here: Home / Blog Post / Explosions can boost bidding at charity auctions
Sep 27

Explosions can boost bidding at charity auctions

Sherry Truhlar 7 Comments

benefit auction item ideas - FPL explosion

And the walls come tumblin’ down…

I don’t always open my Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) e-newsletter each month. This time, I couldn’t click fast enough.

The subject line was “Watch the demolition of an old power plant.“

If you’re looking for some unique benefit auction item ideas, that’s one!  

Imagine, the chance to watch — live — the destruction of the plant in a nearby (but protected) area. Maybe even the chance to walk around the grounds with FPL execs after the big blow-up.

If FPL was a sponsor at any Space Coast gala auctions in the last year, I hope someone had the creativity during an auction committee meeting to say, “In August we’re gonna be blowing up some big buildings over at our Cape Canaveral facility. You think anyone would pay to watch the destruction live from the sidelines?”

A demolition of almost anything can be a great item to sell in your next auction.

Something about explosions and the destruction of big man-made things … the process of which appears to happen in slow-motion … are fun to watch.  Because these events don’t seem to happen often, they attract gawkers.

Here are some similar types of activities that might be taking place in your part of the world. 

  • Your local fire department will be burning an abandoned home as a practice drill.
  • A bridge is being destroyed to make way for a new one.
  • A ship is being sunk.

Keep your ears and eyes open for announcements like these in your local paper. The bringing down of a structure in your neighborhood could be just the ticket to get your bidders hands up at your next auction.

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Copyright © 2010 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

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Comments

  1. Sandy Rees says

    October 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Awesome idea!! And I bet people would bid and pay big money to watch ringside while something blows up!

    Thanks for the fabulous idea Sherry!
    Sandy

    Reply
  2. Sherry Truhlar says

    September 30, 2010 at 10:19 PM

    Thanks for the kind words, all!

    And Lori, I totally agree with you. These types of activities could easily be used for “insider” opportunities for big-time donors, as you suggest.

    Reply
  3. Gayle L. Gifford, ACFRE says

    September 30, 2010 at 2:19 PM

    You are amazing. I’d love to just walk by your side someday as you creatively assess everything you see for its potential for auctions.:-)

    Reply
  4. Lori L. Jacobwith says

    September 30, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Sherry, I love your creative, outside the box thinking when it comes to engaging supporters. This is a very fun idea and could also be used as a free special “insiders” event for long-time or multi-year major gifts supporters.

    Reply
  5. Betsy Baker says

    September 30, 2010 at 6:17 AM

    I am always insprired by your creativity! What a novel idea.

    Reply
  6. Bunnie Riedel says

    September 28, 2010 at 8:21 AM

    Sherry, an awesome idea! So true, people do like to watch these sorts of things.

    Reply
  7. Jess You says

    September 27, 2010 at 5:05 PM

    Love this idea! My head is spinning with ideas of things that might need blowing up around town….for a good cause. =)

    Reply

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Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

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I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

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