By Sandi Gedeon, Business Manager
James Bond was the theme of Bing’s 26th annual Harvest Moon fundraising event, held Nov. 8, 2014, at the Stanford Arrillaga Alumni Center and titled Bing Auction Royale 2014. The event raised over $320,000 for the Bing Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to over 20 percent of the children who attend the nursery school. As in past years, Helen and Peter Bing were strong supporters, with a generous gift of $50,000.
In keeping with the theme, an Aston Martin (Bond’s most famous car) was parked at the entrance of the event. Guests were greeted by 49ers cheerleaders dressed as Bond Girls serving martinis (shaken not stirred of course); elegant black and gold décor, including a replica of Bond Girl Jill Masterson from Goldfinger; and large martini glasses on the auction tables with colorful LED ice cubes. The auctioneers this year were Bing teachers Todd Erickson and Lars Gustafson, who came in secret agent attire. The DJ for the evening, Bing parent and professional DJ Carole Morey (JPM3 Productions), dressed as the Ursula Andress character, Honey Ryder, from Dr. No.
Auction attendees’ mission, if they chose to accept it, was to bid on exciting items, including an autographed Buster Posey Jersey (the Giants had just won their third World Series), an exotic car tour donated by Club Sportive, a beautiful “Bing book crate” filled with books donated by the Bing teachers and staff and created by Bing carpenter Gene Aiken and teacher Jeanne Zuech, and many other items. The live auction raised over $60,000. Items that were auctioned included a Giants suite for 12 at AT&T Park; a week at an oceanfront home in Kona, Hawaii; Pizza party with Bing teachers Emma McCarthy, Susan Johnson and Andrea Fewster (this item was so popular, the teachers agreed to auction off a second party); and a private performance by the incomparable Stanford Band, which sold for an incredible $14,000. The ever-popular Fund a Scholarship, a live bidding item with straight cash donations going directly to the Bing Scholarship Fund, raised over $55,000 that evening, with an additional $90,000 raised prior to the night of the auction.
More than 25 events for children, families and adults were also auctioned off, including The Bond Martini Party, the Murder Mystery Wine and Dine, Peter Rabbit Garden Party, Children’s Art Party, Robot-Making Party and the Bug Out Party. We appreciate the work and donations of parents in each classroom who put together over 50 class baskets with different themes, including “007” Spy Kid, Little Farmer’s Garden, Baker’s Paradise, Come Fly with Me, and It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson. In total, over 600 items were auctioned off.
The food, catered again this year by Weir & Associates Catering, was served with Bond flare, with such dishes as British Roast Beef Sandwich, “The World is Not Enough” (Spanish manchego and quince skewers) and “From Russia With Love” (diamond-shaped blinis). Peet’s Coffee & Tea, SusieCakes and Tin Pot Creamery donated the dessert and coffee for the evening. Other generous donors for the evening included Belden Barns Winery, Clos Du Val, Hengehold Trucks, Trader Joe’s, Willamette Valley Vineyards and The Willow’s Market.
We offer our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the auction co-chairs, Tara Carranza Chapman and Sanaz Khalili Malek, for their vision, leadership and dedication. We couldn’t have done it without them. We are also extremely grateful to our parent volunteers—over 200 strong—who worked on over 20 committees. A special thank you to those who donated to the auction and to those who attended. The tremendous dedication of our parents, Bing teachers and staff made the auction what it was—a tremendous success!
We look forward to seeing everyone again at this year’s auction, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.