The Pinecrest Elementary School community of students, parents and faculty will be holding their annual fundraiser. Comprised of the “Film Fest” carnival to be held on the November 22nd and the silent auction from November 14 to 24, the PTA’s largest fundraiser of the year helps the school purchase electronic learning aids, such as smart boards and listening stations, and supplies for teachers. A first for the annual event is the uploading of the auction online. Those interested in bidding for the scores of generously-donated items will have the convenience of bidding via smart phone or electronic tablet.
Auction items are donated by businesses and others from local communities such as Pinecrest, the City of South Miami, and Miami to venues in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Cape Canaveral. The parents have worked diligently to ask for and collect the items in what is a well-coordinated volunteer effort.
“We have a vibrant school and active PTA. Our community is generous. The online auction will expand our reach by giving us more exposure for the event,” said Francisca Puga from the PTA Silent Auction committee.
The auction items will be on the website for two weeks, beginning at 8 AM on November 14th and ending on November 24th at 11:59 PM. The address is www.ibidforpinecrest.com.
“We are offering the ability to secure an item or items of your choice at a discount of 20 percent if the buyer purchases the item online and we have the same offer for the day of the carnival on the 22nd,” said Marilyn Diaz of the Auction Committee.
If the buyer chooses to purchase between the 14th and 22nd, the item will be closed out as soon as it is purchased.
During the carnival, bidders can bring their electronic notebooks or smart phones to bid or purchase the items. Bidders can use credit cards or cash. Items can be picked up the week following the event.
“We will be like an Apple store with I-pads available for those bidders who need one,” said Oscar Anzola, also of the committee. Anzola, who has volunteered his computer skills, helped to evaluate and choose the user-friendly system developed by a company that specializes in software packages to facilitate school auctions. Moving school auctions online has proven to be very successful for other schools across the country.
The PTA is very involved with the Pinecrest Elementary school and are engaged in fundraising for national programs to help others, scholarship programs, the Fairchild Challenge (volunteer to help clean up Biscayne Bay), and for the United Way and JDRF Walk to cure diabetes. This year they held a Halloween Drive to collect costumes for children in need.
Pinecrest Elementary School is dedicated to nurturing each student’s growth and pursuit of excellence. It is recognized as one of South Florida’s top elementary schools, consistently receiving an ‘A’ rating. The school is located at 10250 SW 57th Avenue in Pinecrest. The Film Fest carnival will take place at the school. For more information call the school at 305-667-5579.
