I am chairing our silent auction this year which is held in conjunction with our school carnival. A few weeks ago I sent out about 100 letters to national companies. I read a lot of websites to find out what their policies were. If it wasn't listed I emailed them and asked. I have committee members who will go in person to the restaurant and store chains that said you needed to ask locally. So far I have recevied donations from...

Chipotle - done online
Portrait Innovations
Mimi's Cafe
lots of local museums and theatres

I have received No's from...

Bigelow Tea (we aren't in one of their office areas)
bd's mogolian bbq

All of the info and addresses can be found on the company websites. I will post more as they come in. Anyone else have any others to share?

We got tickets from local amusement parks & aquariums, try any in your area.

scholastic books sent us a Harry Potter book with a photo of the author.

We hit up the local movie theatre-- MJR as good-- Retaurants-- Coney Grille in our area has been great and teh car dealerships we asked gave a money donation-- so we are purchasing a DS lite from one and digital camera from another

If you do a search on the message boards for the word 'donations' I beleive another post listed quite a few companies for possibilities. You may have to weed through quite a few posts but it should be there.

I have spent a lot of time searching the message boards and have done a lot of research on those companies. I am now updating all of that info so that others won't waste so much time and postage. National companies are only a small part of our donations but I love to include them because they are only a letter or an email away. We get most of our donations from local businesses and through connections our parents have. Friday we received a donation from a local winery that is donating a tour and a wine tasting for 20. I have found that most national companies that people have received negative responses from will donate if you live in their city. I live in Kanas City and Williams Foods put together a great basket full of about 40 of their seasonings, sauces, gravies, etc. I had to pick it up at their offices but I am sure it will do well in the auction and it is something different. If anyone else has any updated info I would love it if they would share.

I have spent a lot of time searching the message boards and have done a lot of research on those companies. I am now updating all of that info so that others won't waste so much time and postage. National companies are only a small part of our donations but I love to include them because they are only a letter or an email away. We get most of our donations from local businesses and through connections our parents have. Friday we received a donation from a local winery that is donating a tour and a wine tasting for 20. I have found that most national companies that people have received negative responses from will donate if you live in their city. I live in Kanas City and Williams Foods put together a great basket full of about 40 of their seasonings, sauces, gravies, etc. I had to pick it up at their offices but I am sure it will do well in the auction and it is something different. If anyone else has any updated info I would love it if they would share.

I am happy to share what I have.