Greylock After-Prom Auction Features 82 Items
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — If you did not catch last weekend's fund-raiser for the Mount Greylock After Prom program, you are in luck.
There is plenty of time to get in on the action as more than 80 items are up for grabs in a charity auction to benefit the post-prom festivities.
For more than 20 years, attendees at Mount Greylock's prom have been transported from the site of the formal to an informal gathering where they can keep partying — and stay safe — through the night.
In recent years, the after prom festivities have been held at Greylock Bowl and Golf in North Adams, which also was the location of last Saturday's party Dueling Pianos benefit concert.
Last year, the party was the finale of a two-week online auction period.
This year, the organizers decided to shake things up by using the Saturday night event as a kickoff for the auction.
"What we found was that we were limiting the auction to the people who were attending the event," organizer Elinor Goodwin said this week.
Plus, she said, the entertainment is such a strong draw at the event that it was hard for people to pull themselves away to pay attention to the auction. This year, the hope is that more people will have more time to check out the auction — which offers more prizes than ever.
Items range from $25 gift cards from local businesses to a five-day, four-night vacation in Mexico.
The latter, valued at nearly $1,500, is one of two trips south of border that are up for grabs. Goodwin explained that those prizes are arranged by the Bidding for Good website, which manages the Greylock After Prom silent auction.
"They have what they call 'instant items' that you can add to your auction and get a certain percentage of what someone ends up paying for them," she said. "It doesn't cost you anything. It's one of the services of the fee you pay Bidding for Good. … Last year, [the proceeds from the 'instant items'] ended up paying for our subscription fee for the year."
The bulk of the items are smaller and provided by local businesses and individuals. Some are are geared to families — like a five-day pass to Sand Springs Pool. Some are for adults — like Williamstown Theatre Festival tickets. And some will appeal to younger kids — like sports camp offerings from Williams College.
And in the unlikely event that none of the 82 auction items appeals to you, another way to help is to dine out — either at Mingo's in North Adams this week or Williamstown's '6 House in April and May. At either location, a portion of your check will go to the After Prom fund-raiser if you bring a coupon available on the event's website.
"People are always happy to donate to this event," Goodwin said.
Organizers hope to raise about $10,000 to cover the expenses of the post-prom party, which includes bowling, the use of the golf simulator, food, a hypnotist and, again this year, a casino night that was a hit with the prom crowd, Goodwin said.
Tags: auction, fundraiser, proms,
