Hundreds support campus through financial support, philanthropy

UPDATE: March 13, 2020

In light of the ongoing developments around COVID-19 health concerns, a situation that is changing by the hour, FCS Administration has determined the best course of action is to cancel/postpone this weekend’s auction.

The benefit of exercising caution outweighs any financial benefit to the school as opportunities for potential exposure for our most vulnerable populations need to be avoided.

Stay tuned for details to follow regarding auction items, donation opportunities, and the potential rescheduling of this event.

Original article: March 12, 2020

Hundreds of guests, families and friends gather in the FC gym for the 37th annual Fresno Christian Auction, March 14. This fundraising event features a silent auction, live auction, dinner and live entertainment, all revolving around the year’s theme, ‘deeply rooted’.

This theme shines a spotlight on FC’s mission statement: to equip young people for life and service for Jesus Christ. Campus superintendent Jeremy Brown believes this theme shows what the school community strives to accomplish.

“The theme of ‘deeply rooted’ comes from what we want to do here at Fresno Christian,” Brown said. “We do not just teach students here so that they will become good students in college. We want our students to be deeply rooted in Christ so that they impact their community wherever they end up.”

The auction brings in less revenue compared to other forms of FCS fundraising. Other than the auction, tuition and various grants bring money to the school. However, the auction focuses on social aspects and involves the community.

Everything sold at the auction comes from donors. Also, the auction exposes private, Christian education to a broader range of individuals and organizations in the Valley.

Last year, the FCS auction displayed the theme ‘Going Places’. Leadership students served food and attended the different areas of the auction. Other students assisted in moving items and shoveling wood chips for the silent auction tent in their PE periods the day before. In 2019, the school raised $157,704 in the 36th annual FCS Auction, contributing to the vision of the school to develop a community of ‘world changers’.

In the following podcast, junior Brayden Iest discusses the importance of private school finding with Superintendent Jeremy Brown.

Senior Logan Lewis worked the communications and advertisement of the event dressed as an airline pilot. He also made regular updates through the evening on social media.

“I absolutely love the auction,” Lewis said. “Last year, I got the opportunity to host the auction via livestream, and even play on stage with the band. This event allows me to connect with adults and members of the FC community that I don’t regularly see. Who doesn’t love a night of getting dressed up with your friends while supporting your school?”

The 36th annual FCS Auction was captured via video by Ethan Hamm, ’20. Since 1982, Fresno Christian staff, alumni and community members have raised money to support students and their education.

Fresno Christian Auction 2019 from The Feather Online on Vimeo.

In addition to individual tickets, sponsorships present an opportunity for attendees to reserve entire tables as well as place an ad on the auction booklets.

Individual tickets- $75

Silver Sponsor- $750
Listing in program, reserved table for 8 guests.

Gold Sponsor- $1,000
Half page program display, reserved table for 8 guests.

Platinum Sponsor- $2,000
Full Page Program display, prime location/ reserved table for 8 guests. Includes four Heads/Tails paddles per table.

Ruby Sponsor- $10,000
Full page program display, prime location/ reserved tables for 16 guests. Includes a Heads/Tails paddle for each guest.

Legacy Event Sponsor- $25,000
Only one available. Your logo displayed on all Auction publications, full page program display, VIP reserved tables for 24 guests including a Heads/Tails paddle and 2 raffle tickets for each guest.

The following video produced and edited by Wesley Hinton, ’20, markets Fresno Christian Schools and introduces the educational system to attendees of the 36th annual FCS Auction, March 9, 2019.

The auction takes place in the FCS gymnasium and the silent auction takes place on the neighboring FCS tennis courts in an event tent. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7:30 p.m. Live entertainment performs throughout the evening. Any questions regarding the auction can be sent to [email protected] or call 559-299-1695.

Currently, Fresno Christian enrolls students from K-12 with a total of 561 students: elementary – 192; middle school – 149; high school – 220. Application forms can be found on the FresnoChristian.com website under the Admissions tab.

For more articles, read Roger Tatarian Symposium features discussion of paperless news and Exchange students in Italy share coronavirus xenophobia, promote impartiality.

Brayden Iest can be reached via Twitter and email.