2010 Charity Auction raises $13,000 for local families

These are difficult days for fundraisers no matter how worthy the cause. But this March, the Ford School community beat the odds with a very successful 13th edition of its annual Charity Auction. Thanks to the generosity of the Ford School community and the hard work of the students on the Charity Auction committee, the event raised over $13,000 for the Community Action Network (CAN), a nonprofit that serves low-income families in and around Ann Arbor.

The Ford School Charity Auction is a student-led initiative that raises money for a different non-profit organization each year. The auction committee solicits donations from members of the Ford School community and local merchants and then hosts a gala at which the items are bid on in both live and silent auctions.

This year’s event, held at the Kensington Court hotel in Ann Arbor, boasted more than 100 auction items. Notable donations that commanded high bids included a football tailgate party hosted by Justin Thomas; skydiving passes for two; an evening with Mel and Joan Levitsky including games, hors d'oeuvres, and dinner; and two hours of Whirley Ball for a group of ten. In addition to those and other generous contributions from the community, the Charity Auction committee is especially grateful to Dykema Gossett PLLC for its corporate sponsorship and for the donations made by over 30 local businesses and restaurants.

At the beginning of each school year the Ford School community votes to select the beneficiary organization for the Charity Auction. CAN was a popular choice in part because of its local ties. The organization educates children, youth, and families in four community centers across Washtenaw County; provides food pantries (over 5,000 meals each year); collaborates with health care, dental and vision professionals; advocates on behalf of residents on housing issues; and promotes community building. The funds raised from the Charity Auction will be used to support CAN's summer program, which helps underprivileged children reach their educational potential.