The next BRUU Auction will be on November 1, 2025.

Every year around about September, you’ll start seeing silly hats during Sunday Worship and Coffee Hour.  These are donned by the Auction Committee who will be soliciting Auction Items, plus pot luck, set-up and clean-up crews and donations of beer, wine and soft drinks.  Their efforts make the annual Auction a perennial success, as a fun experience and as a fundraiser too.

Items in the annual auction calalog have included dog sitting, vacation cabins, the Annual Bad Hat Bar-B-Que Dinner, a “liquid tour” of Scotland, jars of organic fig jam and the famously expensive lemon curd, thrift store shopping trips,, rights to havest from a garden all summer, pool parties, inner tubing down the Shenandoah River, and more.  (If you had never heard of a Pythonopoly Game Night… well, it was your opportunity to join the party.) 

The live auction is – well, lively.  In addition, we have items online for bidding.  Typically, the auction raises about $30,000 each year.  The 2024 auction beat the record, raising over $38,000.

Many members add to their social calendar for the coming year by buying dinners, concerts, hikes, winery tours, tubing, music lessons and much, much more!  Events sold at the auction, some for $5 and some for much more (especially time at vacation cabins), create opportunities to get together.  Throughout the year, people who discover BRUU after the auction often get invited to fill spaces for social events that become available, if the plans of the winning bidders have changed.

For 2025, online bidding starts October 20.  On November 1, doors open at BRUU at 4:30pm for the in-person auction.  You can also watch via Zoom that night.  However, to win items offered in the in-person auction, you must have someone in the building who is holding up your number and bidding for you.   Oh, be sure to tell them the limit that you are willing to bid.

Questions? Email us at auction@bruu.org

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Live Auction?
The Live Auction is held at BRUU, competitive bidding will be led by Auctioneers, light food and drinks will be available. People in attendance will have a chance to win door prizes.
What is the Online Auction?
The Online Auction is ALL virtual. You can view the Catalog and Bid on Items. Online Items will NOT be on display at the live auction event.
Can we participate in the Auction Via ZOOM?
You may observe the Live Auction via Zoom. You will not be able to bid on Live Auction items via Zoom.
What is the 50/50 Raffle?
Raffle Tickets a $3.00 per Ticket (4 for $10.) The winner will receive 50% of the Ticket Sales.
How can I see the Auction Items?
See the virtual catalog. Items can be viewed by selecting “Auction Catalog” in the Light Blue Box at the top of the Auction web page.
How do I get my Item if I am the winning Bidder?
Coordinate with the person who donated the item. Items will not be available for pickup at the live auction event.
Why don’t I see my item in the Auction Catalog while it is in draft?
Items are listed in the Catalog once an Auction Team Member reviews/approves a donated item.
How do I volunteer for the Auction?
Select the “Sign Up To Help” Tab in the Light Blue Box at the top of the Auction web page.
Can I bid on items if I am not available for the live event?
To designate a Proxy to bid for you, simply RSVP and the proxy will receive your Bid Card at registration. Please send us an email to : auction@bruu.org . Please let us who you have designated as a Proxy.
Why do I need to RSVP?
RSVP help us plan food & beverage AND we will have your Bid Card ready for you.
How do I donate items to the auction?
Select “Donate Items” in the Light Blue Box at the top of the web page and complete the form. There is also a Tutorial option in the Light Blue Box.
How do I bid on Auction Items?
Select “Auction Catalog” in the Light Blue Box at the top of the web page. Select the item of interest and place your bid.  Those on Zoom must have a buddy present in the Sanctuary to bid for them during the in-person event.
How do I view Auction Items that will be sold at the live event?
Select “Auction Catalog” in the Light Blue Box at the top of the web page. Click on the box titled “Live: to display only the items at the Live Auction.
Is there a calendar of events?
Yes, there are 2 options. You can select “Calendar View” when you are looking at the catalog. You can also select “Calendar” in the Light Blue Box- this calendar will also reflect BRUU Events like the concert series.

Auction Rules:
Registration:
 Registration is required to participate in the Online Auction (Providing Credit Card information is optional).
RSVP:
 Please RSVP if you are attending the Live Auction.
 RSVPing ensures your Bid Card is prepared, and it helps with planning food & beverage for the event.
Item Donors & Event Hosts:
 You will receive an automated email that lists the winners of your items.
 Please coordinate the time and place to pick up/deliver the Auction Item.
 Hosts should send reminders with details of their events.
 If you are serving food, you should verify if attendees have any allergies or diet restrictions.
 Please notify attendees if a scheduled event needs to be changed.
Bidders:
 You will receive an automated email that lists the items you have won.
 Select the My Account tab to review the Auction Items you have won
 If you cannot attend an event, you may designate an alternate to attend in your place.
 Please inform the Host regarding the change in attendance.
Cancellations:
 If an event needs to be canceled, please inform the Auction Planning Team and the winning bidders.
 Winning bidders have 2 options:
o The Auction Team can assist with getting a refund
o The Winning Bidder can consider the value of the winning bid as a Donation to Bruu
Settling Accounts:
 The preferred method of settling Auction Accounts is by selecting the My Accounts tab in the Auction website.
 Please settle your Auction Account NLT 21 days after the Live Auction.

the ever-popular homemade lemon curd….