TOPS Annual Spring Auction FAQs

Q. How can I help?

It takes many hands!  You can help procure items; donate an item, service, dessert or experience; help with set-up and/or take down; coordinate a class art project; assist with data entry; and more.

To volunteer and join the fun, email auction@topsk8 or fill out this Volunteer Form

Most of all, please come to the auction and feel free to bring family or friends!

Q. What is the auction and why do we have one each year?

The auction is an event that allows us to get together and have fun while raising money for Friends of TOPS.  Your contributions to Friends of TOPS go towards supporting programs that have been envisioned and put into action by TOPS caregivers and staff.  These programs are created to fill  gaps left by the district budget as well as serve to enrich our students’ education and school community, and advance our social justice mission.  Many of the programs offer our students experiences and opportunities unique to TOPS.

• Classroom Assistants in the K, 1st, and 2nd grades provide additional educational and social emotional support for our youngest learners.
• Every 4th and 5th grader learns to play an instrument and has the opportunity to continue music education in middle school Band or Orchestra.
• Every student has access to experiential learning through overnight environmental camps, and Planting the Seeds.
• School events like Deaf and Hard of Hearing Family Nights bring families together to connect and learn from each other.

Here is a full list of the 2021-22 Friends of TOPS funded programs.

Q. What is the TOPS Equity Fund?

This year, you will also have the opportunity to donate your dollars to a separate TOPS Equity Fund.  You can specify an amount during the auction event and/or choose Donate to Equity Fund to give online. The Equity Fund was created in 2022 to more closely align TOPS fundraising practices with our social justice mission.  It is one way we can deepen our commitment to equitable resource allocation across Seattle schools. Our vision is that all schools are able to fund the enrichment activities and educational support that meet the needs of their students. The money donated this year to the Equity Fund will be distributed 50% to Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance which represents 15 schools in District 7 focussing on collaborative fundraising, equitable allocation and community collaboration; and 50% to Lowell Elementary PTA, a neighboring school that has expressed interest in furthering a relationship with TOPS.

Q. Can I bid on items online? 

Yes! May 14-21st select (and awesome!) items will be made available for bidding online only.  We hope this will enable more TOPS supporters to participate and join the fun!

Go to https://topsk82022.ggo.bid to get started if you haven't already reserved a ticket for the live event. If you have reserved a ticket to the live auction, you will be automatically registered and receive an email or text with your unique link to access the online bidding.

Q. What time does the in-person auction start?

Q. How do I get there and where do I park?

Wisteria Hall is located at the Graham Visitor Center in the Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle, WA 98112 .  There is an adjacent parking lot with accessible parking spots and another larger lot located just to the north of the Hall off of E Foster Island Rd. 

Q. What about Covid?

Wisteria Hall was chosen this year to provide for a safer indoor/outdoor event.  You may choose to stay completely outside on the lovely terraces where the live auction will take place.  The silent auction items will mostly be inside the hall which has many windows and large doors that will be open to maximize air flow.  Masking is encouraged.  

Q. What if I have questions about accessibility?

Please indicate any accommodations you may need when reserving tickets online and/or email auction@topsk8.org if you have any questions or concerns.  

ASL interpretation will be provided.  

Q. What do I wear?

Think 1960s, think groovy, think bright, think FUN! You can really wear whatever you like, but dressing up can be great fun. Consider raiding a local vintage clothing store and get your groove on for the dance party at the end of the night!

Q. Where do I sit?

There will be places outside to sit during the auction and cocktail tables to stand around and mingle with your friends and fellow TOPS parents. Unlike previous years, there is no assigned seating at this year’s auction.

Q. Should we have dinner before we come?

We will be serving light appetizers and drinks, so having some food before you come to the event would be a good idea to allow you to maximize your fun! 

Q. What about dessert?

Although without assigned tables it will look different from years past, there will some form of a Dessert Dash where you will be able to bid on desserts donated by local bakeries or homemade by our TOPS parents. One thing for sure, though, is that it will be tasty and fun!

Q. What is the format for the auction? How do I bid? 

We encourage you to register in advance here.  When you arrive at the auction, you will check-in and receive a bidding number.  During the silent auction, you will use your number to write down your bids next to the items you are interested in. At the close of the silent auction, whoever has the highest bid for each item gets to go home with it!

The live auction is even more exciting! You will raise your numbers to place your bid while a live auctioneer takes your bids against your fellow TOPS boosters! 

Q. What can I bid on?

Items range from helicopter rides, kids’ dance classes, vacation rental stays, one-of-a-kind experiences with TOPS teachers, collaborative class art pieces, restaurant certificates, sports and theater tickets, spa days and so much more!  

Q. Do I have to buy anything?

No, but we sure hope you will! The auction is one of the two major fund-raising events at TOPS (the other being the "Fall Fundraiser").

One of the highlights of the night is the "Raise the Paddle." This is a cash donation fundraiser where you raise your bid number to donate at a certain amount. You choose the amount that works for your budget.

At any time before the auction, you can donate to Friends of TOPS programs and the TOPS Equity Fund by choosing  the “Donate to TOPS” and “Donate to Equity Fund” menu options on the left hand side of this page.  Donations are also always accepted through the TOPS Fundraising webpage.

Q. When should I tell the Grandparents or kid sitter we’ll be home?

Most auction activities will wrap up around 8:30-9pm, but don’t ditch out right then. You will want to stay for the dance party!

Q. Wait, did you say dance party?

I believe I did, Bob! Get ready to get your groove on as we clear the tables and have a dance party after the auction part ends! Hanging out and chatting is also acceptable! :)

The party will wrap up around 10:00pm.