Hi,

Thanks so much for this, I have also contacted a few more today and I have gone door to door. Sometimes you hit the decision maker, but it can be hit or miss. I am in Palatine, IL, and I am trying to hit places in our immediate area.

One that is great is Chicago Chocolate Tours, they gave a gift certificate for a walking tour. Kohl's Children's Museum (depending on where you are located, Dupage might be a better fit), gave us passes. I have also contacted Color Me Mine (a kid's pottery place) and they typically donate a "Fired Up Party" which is a pottery painting party for approximately 8 kids. Our Ben & Jerry's always donates, a new place called "Rock N' Roll A' La Mode" which is right by our school will donate a kids karaoke party with food. Many local salons are better approached face-to-face. They typically will donate hair products and maybe some sort of hair service with their less booked stylists. I am a firm believer in asking for donations where you go.

When is your auction? I sent out several requests online today, since I was home with a sick child. They are as follows:

The Sports Authority
Cookies by Design Chicago
Pink Calyx
McDonald's (local)
Whole Foods
Palatine Park District (requested a family pool pass for 2013)

I will update more as they come in. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your leads Lori!

I will continue to post on here as donations trickle in. Our event isnt until early November. So we are looking for some fall/winter activities and donations. Any Ideas?

As for suburbia, we got the following:
Lucky Strike Lanes
Cooper's Hawk
Chicago Kids Company
Lynfred Winery
Bulls/Sox Academy

Good Luck!

I just contacted:
Francesca's Restaurant Group
IPic Theatre's

Also, I suggest doing a "Slumber Party Basket" with a Suite from a hotel and pizza certificates. Kids love to bring friends and have a night in at a hotel with an indoor pool in the winter. I have a good friend who donated this, but you might be able to get a local hotel to do this if you are explicit in what you are trying to accomplish and comply with blackout dates. Downtown hotels are notorious for not contributing anything, but if you go to a three star hotel vs. a four or five star, you might have luck. If you have the time, face to face might be the best place. Also, have you contacted American Girl for a doll donation? They donate every three years to organizations, so we can't get one this year.

Also, for winter ideas, Medieval Times donates passes, Pump it Up, Laser Quest, Game Works, Brunswick Zone, Monkey Joe's.

For the Chicago people - how did you get Bulls/Sox Academy, Chicago Children's Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planaterum? Did you call, send e-mail, fax or fill out a form?

You can submit a request on-line for Lou Malnati's Pizza, and send a SAS for Chicago Architecture Foundation, Zanies send a letter. They have donated to our silent auction in the past.

thanks for the help!

Hi Janet,

Chicago Children's Museum had a note on their website over a month ago saying they were not accepting donation requests, I sent an email to Shedd, all the others I haven't tried yet that you mentioned.

Thanks for the Lou Malnati's and architecture tour info.

How does everyone complete donations forms when they are asked how donation will be used in our donation event?
If you are having a tricky tray what would you put down as an event when the choices are:
1-Live event 2-silent auction 3-online auction 4-raffle 5- door prize 6-other 7- not sure

our group did not get Disney donation because I put down raffle. Not sure what I should have put down if we have a tricky tray.

thanks for any input