Support campus programs via online bidding through April 13

UPDATE: May 1, 2020

According to Christy Rocca, assistant to superintendent, the  37th annual FCS auction drew the attention of more than 30,000 auction page views. Between sponsorships and the online auction, the 37th annual FCS auction cleared $80,000. 

Original article

Due to health and safety reasons, the annual Fresno Christian auction was postponed, March 14. For 37 years the FC live auction has never been canceled, and this will be the first year it has even been offered online, beginning April 1.

Since items donated to the live and silent auction were already collected, the auction committee chose to do an online auction. This year’s theme is ‘Deeply rooted’ and continues a long-time tradition of the FC community gathering to support the school.

Six-year Superintendent Jeremy Brown continues to focus on the impact of how parents, churches, teachers and the school has on the campus students. The 2019 FCS auction raised $157,704, contributing to the vision of the school.

“The theme really speaks to what the mission of FCS is,” Superintendent Brown said. “We work with our parents and churches to provide these on campus World Changers with a foundation for them to blossom. Being deeply rooted reflects all of the work done under the surface. Much of what we will see is determined by the quality of the roots they develop early.”

The administration’s goal is to recoup some of the costs lost through the cancellation, and ultimately raise funds for the school, since the school auction is already held for that purpose.

Dawn Hinton, ’93, and her husband, Dr. Sam Hinton, ’92, long time campus parents and alumni. She is currently a substitute teacher for FCS and on the Auction Committee with a focus on silent auction and elementary contest.

Dr. Hinton attended FCS for high school and both Dawn and Sam have memories of helping out at the Fresno Christian Auction when it was first started by Vern Reynolds. Back then it was held at the Fresno Pacific College gym: parents barbecued, and the students served the dinner.

Both Sam and Dawn said their memories enticed them to offer their time to the auction committee when her oldest, Wes, who is now a senior started as a kindergartener at FCS.

“I’m really going to miss the gathering together of parents, teachers, staff, pastors, alumni, grandparents, local leaders and friends in our community to support and celebrate Fresno Christian Schools at our annual dinner auction,” Dawn said. “I think the theme this year fits perfect with what we face.”

Over the past few years, the auction committee has discussed the possibility of doing an online auction in some way, but decided against it because they felt the gathering together was so important. But this situation has presented the perfect situation to try out.

“’Deeply Rooted’ reminds us that even when our faith is tested if we are rooted in God he will carry us through,” Dawn continued. “With Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to fear death because we know God has made a way to pay for our sins. Being rooted in Christ also brings so much comfort and peace in the midst of all this.”

She went on to say that the committee won’t ever give up getting together, but an online auction gives the opportunity for more people to bid on the great items people have donated.

As a result, the administration and board is hopeful to generate the funds needed that bridge the gap between tuition and the cost to run the school, including with the help of the many FCS partners.

“If you go to visit the auction at https://www.32auctions.com/FC2020, we highlight many of our partners that have given so generously to FCS,” Brown said. “These donations and the money we raise go into further developing our programs, keeping student to teacher ratios low and providing scholarships/tuition assistance for our students.”