Mom really does know best—especially when it comes to passing down traditions.
Drawing on memories of participating in church fundraisers with her mother, Independent Future Executive Senior Sales Director Jan Adams borrowed the idea of a teacup auction from previous generations—and then updated it.
At her mom’s church, prizes would be displayed with a china teacup in front of each item. Auction goers would place tickets they purchased into the teacups in front of things they liked. At the end of the “bidding,” one ticket was chosen from each cup, and that lucky winner took the prize home!
Jan and Independent Sales Directors Lisa Lute, Peggy Thomas, and Kim Wilson hosted this year’s modernized auction, substituting teacup imprinted bags for actual cups. On April 19, 2010, at the Cape Coral Yacht Club in Cape Coral, Fla., they again teamed up to benefit The Mary Kay Foundation for a night of food, fun and prizes galore at The 5th Annual Teacup Auction.
More than 70 women attended the lively event, vying for the prizes displayed around the entire room. Independent Beauty Consultants donated gift sets and Independent Sales Directors brought oodles of treasures. Donations from businesses, department and specialty stores, and restaurants increased the bounty to 158 prizes!
Attendees had just 30 minutes to buy tickets in $5.00 strips and place tickets in the bags. For the next two hours, Jan and her team awarded the prizes. Rumor has it that delicious finger food and wonderful pink-frosted cupcakes kept everyone happy.
“Our customers love it,” says Jan. “It’s a fun night, and they walk out with arms full of prizes. Everyone gets something. Now, people start asking early in the year when it’s coming up again.”
Jan informed the crowd about the Foundation’s work, noting statistics for domestic violence and cancers affecting women. Cancer survivors attending the fundraiser received special recognition.
At the end of the evening, the efforts netted $1,302.58. And then something surprising occurred: a new Independent Beauty Consultant’s mother came back in the building and donated a handful of change, bringing the total raised to $1,313.13!
“We were ecstatic to have this success!” exclaims Jan. “We really exceeded our goal. This Company sets such a great example of how we can organize our business and events.”
We raise our teacup to the women of Lee County, Fla!