Auction

The STARS Gala Auction is the signature fundraiser of Eastside Catholic School for the benefit of our students and their programs.

STARS stands for Students and Teachers Achieving Remarkable Success—the EC auction has carried this name since 2002, and perhaps even earlier than that.

The 35th Annual STARS Gala Auction is on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. Please proceed to the Grand Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Hyatt.

5 - 5:45 p.m.
Crusader Club VIP Reception

5:45 - 7 p.m.
General Admission & Silent Auction

7 - 10 p.m.
Dinner and Live Auction

10 - 11 p.m.
Post Dinner Dancing and Celebration

A digital invitation with registration information will be sent to your email soon. General Admission is:

• $125 per person for early registration
• $150 per person after early registration

Crusader Club is an intimate gathering in a relaxed atmosphere before general admission from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Benefits include:

• Gala Dinner Admission
• Early access to the Silent Auction
• Hosted cocktails with hors d’oeuvres
• President’s Toast
• Catalog and seat recognition
• Complimentary valet parking

The price of admission for Crusader Club is $500 for Platinum, $250 for Gold and $175 for Silver.

We are truly grateful to our 2020 Honorary Co-Chairs Jeff and Charu Bogdan. Jeff and Charu are proud parents of Luke ‘17 and Drew ‘20. Jeff and Charu, along with many dedicated volunteers, plan an exciting and fun-filled event for our community that also benefits our students and programs.

Last year, we hosted over 475 guests and we hope to increase attendance for the 2020 auction. EC parents, grandparents, alumni parents, friends, supporters and alumni (21 years of age and over) are welcome!

Thanks to the generosity of our auction guests, donors, sponsors, supporters and dedicated volunteers, together we raised over $575,000 in gross revenue, including funds for the Making a Difference effort.

“Making a Difference” is often referred to as “Raise the Paddle” or “Fund a Need.”

Each year, funds raised during this moment on auction night are dedicated to a specific need. This year, Making a Difference is dedicated to “Safety and Security.” Our hope is to raise at least $300,000.

Proceeds from the auction enable our students to have the opportunities and advantages of programs including day retreats for all grades, assembly speakers, robotics, freshman rookie camp and freshman overnight, Finding Kind, advanced art supplies, scholarships, tuition assistance, career seminars, the all-school spring musical, athletics and much more.

Eastside Catholic does not have an auction donation requirement. We rely on the generosity of our community for a successful fundraising event and encourage all families to support our efforts at whatever level is comfortable for them.

Yes, we encourage everyone to attend. Not only is the auction EC’s signature fundraising event, it is also the largest social gathering of the year. There is truly something for everyone. The Silent Auction offers a wide variety of items, often purchased at bargain prices, and single raffle tickets are priced at $25. Join us for the party, stay for the fun!

Yes, hors d’oeuvres are passed during the Silent Auction that takes place prior to dinner and the Live Auction. The dinner itself is a three-course sit-down dinner with wine and includes a cheeseboard, salad and entrée.  Desserts are purchased through the Dessert Dash.

Dessert Dash is a fun way for your entire table to bid on an array of scrumptious desserts. Everyone at your table will have an opportunity to contribute any amount they wish. Tables with the highest bid amount get to dash to the dessert table first, so be sure to bid high! Designate a dessert runner and when your table number is called, your runner quickly dashes and grabs a dessert!

There will be an opportunity to state dietary needs and restrictions when you register online.

The STARS Gala Auction is an elegant evening spent with EC families, friends, faculty, staff and supporters. Ladies should feel comfortable wearing cocktail dresses, festive attire or a gown if you choose. For the gentlemen, suits and ties are the standard with optional black tie.

Yes. The online registration gives you an opportunity to request to sit with friends. If you do not have a preference, the auction team will help put together a table for you with parents/guardians who have students in the same grade(s) or who have students who are in the same activities as yours.

When you check in at the registration desk, your credit card will be swiped twice, once for auction purchases and once for raffle ticket purchases. You will not be charged unless you make a purchase. All auction and raffle tickets will be paid by credit cards and all sales are final. You may use cash to purchase cocktails at the bars located in the Silent Auction area.

Yes, make the STARS Gala a staycation! A limited number of rooms are available on a first come, first reserve basis. The discounted rate for a standard room is $139 plus tax and includes complimentary overnight self- parking. Reserve your room and indicate “Eastside Catholic Room Block” as your group affiliation. The reservation deadline is March 16 or while rooms last.

We would love to have our families support in multiple ways:

• Attend - Help support the school simply by attending and having a great time.
• Volunteer - Please let us know what you enjoy doing and when you are available. Join our fun and dedicated team. We also need help with setting up the day of the event and closing out the night of the event. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Nonila Masmela if you are interested in volunteering.
• Sponsor - Event sponsorships and catalog advertising are available.
• Donate items for the silent or live auctions - Donate or procure new items and experiences.
• Donate cash - Donate cash to underwrite event expenses.

Eastside Catholic School (Tax ID- #91-1034894) is a non-profit organization. Donated items, sponsorships, advertisements and cash underwriting are potentially deductible as permitted by law. A comprehensive receipt detailing all auction donations and purchases will be mailed to you shortly after the auction. Please check with your tax advisor for assistance.