Local school, several local businesses come together for online Facebook auction

By LAUREN THOMSON Special to the News on May 15, 2021.

As the province announced school shutdowns for all students from May 7-25, the school advisory council at Dr. Ken Sauer Elementary School in Medicine Hat moved forward with a creative and innovative way to foster a sense of togetherness and well-being within their community, just by using Facebook and the donations of many local businesses.

“Last year we were about to host our second annual spaghetti supper fundraiser, brainchild of the incredible Jodie Colbe,” said Ruth Streifel, member of the school advisory council. “It was looking to be a smashing success with the cream of Medicine Hat holding tickets. We had hundreds of dollars of donations from many incredible Medicine Hat businesses and individuals.

“However, the very week that we were to host, COVID came in and shut our world down. Obviously, we were all devastated at the cancellation. We waited patiently, hoping that we would be able to host our dinner this year.”

School principal Carla Carrier says it’s the first online auction they’ve ever done.

“The items that we have on the auction were donated for the silent auction at the spaghetti supper that we were supposed to host last year,” Carrier said Friday. “But we are still in the situation where we have too many health restrictions to have a spaghetti supper, so the student council decided to go ahead and instead have the donated items go towards the online auction.”

The bidding will run for 48 hours, and started Friday at 11 a.m. Bidding closes Sunday at the same time. The student advisory council has provided detailed write-ups for each item and will continually monitor the group posts and bids. The auction boasts a wide range of items to bid on; a manicure, a shopping spree at Mama Bear Maternity, pizzas from Antonio’s Pizza and Donair, $25 to spend at Takumi and a family gift pack from SixOneSix Entertainment, valued at $65, just to name a few. There is everything from baking to charcuterie boxes, and even a succulent bowl from the city’s popular new indoor plant shop, Botanicals.

“It’s a great way to be creative and honour the donations that we received last year. So we checked in with all the businesses and they were on board, they asked us to keep their items for the online auction,” said Carrier. “There have been more items donated as well since the online auction was announced, which has been really nice.”

Located in northeast Crescent Heights, Dr. Ken Sauer School is fairly new; having just opened its doors in September 2017.

“As a new school, we have really valued building a sense of community, not only with our students but also with our families. We try to host events that welcome and bring families together,” said Carrier.

If you want to be part of this event, you can find the Facebook group with the auction items at https://www.facebook.com/groups/470705737375468, or by searching for “Dr. Ken Sauer online auction” on Facebook. All funds raised will go to enhance the learning experience of students at the school.

“From literacy, to music, to math, to arts, and everything in between; we’re doing it for the kids,” said Streifel.