The Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF) will hold its 10th annual Auction and Benefit Party at the Eagle Fire Company Banquet Hall, New Hope, on March 26.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. to give attendees plenty of time to examine the full range of auction items.
The event will feature both a silent and a live auction, plus food and drink provided and prepared by area restaurants and caterers.
Auction items will include works of art by local artists, dinners at area restaurants, tickets to sports events, services of local companies and vacation packages.
”The auction has a reputation for providing excellent food and opportunities for remarkable bargains,” said a spokesman.
LAEF President Jill Myers said she is particularly excited about a new “Best of Live” feature. Traditionally, the auction offers about 50 live auction items that sell for up to $2,200 each. This year, the Best of Live winner will walk off with his or her favorite live auction item before it is brought up for bid.
Tickets for Best of Live will cost $50, and only 100 will be sold. Ms. Myers says, “A lot of people are going to go for this chance to take home the best live auction item for $50, with no bidding hassles.”
Best of Live purchasers don’t have to attend the auction to win; they can buy a ticket, review descriptions of all live auction items before the event and tell the organizers which one they want. Best of Live tickets may be purchased from any LAEF board member or by e-mailing Jill Myers at [email protected].
All proceeds from the event will be used to support innovative programs for students attending Lambertville Public School, West Amwell Township Elementary School, Stockton Borough School and South Hunterdon Regional High School.
Tickets to the traditionally sold-out event, at $50 per person, will be available at the usual locations, Lambertville Trading Company, The Medicine Shoppe and Walkers Liquor Store.
But this year, LAEF is offering a discount for those who buy an entire table of eight by Feb. 15. The cost of the table will be $350, or $43.60 per ticket. Tickets and tables may be reserved by contacting Kathy Ferry at [email protected] or Jill Myers at [email protected].
Community members who would like to donate auction items, such as art works, frequent-flyer miles, stays at vacation homes and tickets to sporting events, plays or concerts, should contact Ms. Ferry at [email protected].
The LAEF is also seeking volunteers to help at the event.
The LAEF, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting students at Lambertville Public School, West Amwell Township Elementary School, Stockton Borough School and South Hunterdon Regional High School.
The organization’s mission is to raise funds and broker community support for projects that enrich the educational experience of all students in the four schools. The foundation is run entirely by volunteers, and virtually 100 percent of its income is expended in grants. More information is available at LAEF-for-the-kids.org.

